Memoscar Lasuba, Author at Eye Radio

Jonglei state govt denies forcible shutdown of Akobo radio station

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Jonglei State government has dismissed allegations that security forces forcibly shut down a radio station in Akobo County and intimidated its staff.

The State Minister of Information, Nyamar Lony, told Eye Radio that Akobo Peace FM suspended operations due to a lack of fuel for its generators, not because of a government order.

However, the management of Akobo Peace FM gave a different account, alleging that the station was forced to shut down following the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) takeover of Akobo town.

The station manager, Sam Koang, said the station was shut down under pressure from security forces. He also claimed that one reporter was arrested and detained, while others were threatened, forcing him to flee to neighbouring Ethiopia.

Koang said the situation raised concern over intimidation targeting journalists in Akobo County.

The allegations were dismissed by the state government, which said no formal complaints had been received. Minister Nyamar said neither her office nor Governor Riek Gai Kok had been notified of any harassment involving media personnel.

“I did not receive any reports of intimidation to the radio station. If there were such reports, the governor is in Akobo town, why didn’t they report to him if this intimidation really occurred?” she said.

The minister said the state government considers the restoration of the station a priority, noting that Akobo Peace FM plays a key role in broadcasting peace messages and encouraging displaced residents to return home following recent fighting.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to press freedom and urged journalists facing threats to report directly to state authorities for action.

The station is currently broadcasting news through social media while its FM transmission remains off air. Continue reading “Jonglei state govt denies forcible shutdown of Akobo radio station”

International Trade Centre provides laboratory reagents to SSNBS ahead of handover

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

The International Trade Centre (ITC) has provided laboratory reagents and consumables to the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) under the GRACE Project, ahead of their official handover, officials said.

Officials from SSNBS conducted a verification exercise of the donated laboratory materials to ensure readiness, transparency, and accountability in project implementation.

The Executive Director of SSNBS, Oiylang Dominic Kanuto, received an update on the supplies provided by ITC under the GRACE Project.

GRACE Project Coordinator Bul John said the verification exercise was conducted to confirm the donated reagents before the planned handover. He said the project supports capacity building in quality assurance, food safety, packaging, and institutional development.

The ITC focal point at SSNBS, Neima, said the support from the International Trade Centre has contributed to certification processes, job creation, trade development, and training of auditors, inspectors, and laboratory technicians.

Mr. Kanuto said the partnership with ITC has strengthened SSNBS operations through the provision of laboratory consumables and capacity building. He said the GRACE Project contributes to quality assurance, standardization, and safety.

“The International Trade Centre has been a valued and strategic partner in advancing our mandate,” he said. “Their support in providing laboratory consumables, reagents, and capacity building is instrumental in strengthening our operations.”

SSNBS leadership said it will continue cooperation with ITC in priority areas to strengthen standards and promote trade development.

Uganda: Chimpanzee group engages in eight-year civil war, study finds

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

In Uganda’s Kibale National Park, the world’s largest known group of wild chimpanzees has split into rival factions and has been involved in what researchers describe as a “civil war” for the past eight years, according to a study reported by the BBC.

The Ngogo chimpanzee community was once a closely connected group but has since divided into two factions known as the Western and Central groups.

Researchers say they have recorded 24 killings since 2018, including 17 infants.

The study, published in the journal Science, shows that the violence continued after the split became permanent.

Lead researcher Aaron Sandel, an anthropologist at the University of Texas and co-director of the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project, said the group was previously cohesive despite occasional disputes.

He said tensions began to increase in 2015, followed by growing avoidance and more aggressive encounters between the two groups.

The BBC reported that by 2018 the division had fully developed, leading to repeated attacks by members of the Western group on the Central group.

Researchers said at least seven adult males and 17 infants from the Central group have been killed, though the total number may be higher.

The study suggests factors including group size, competition for resources, and male rivalry for reproduction may have contributed to the conflict.

Researchers said chimpanzees are highly territorial and often hostile toward outsiders, but the scale and duration of the violence is unusual.

Djibouti President Guelleh wins sixth term with 97.8 percent of vote – BBC

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh has won a sixth term in office after securing 97.8 percent of the vote, according to preliminary official results reported by the BBC.

His only challenger, Mohamed Farah Samatar, received 2.19 percent of the vote in an election that was boycotted by most opposition parties.

The 78-year-old leader has been in power for 27 years. He had previously indicated he would step down, but later ran for re-election after constitutional changes in November removed the upper age limit of 75 for presidential candidates, according to the BBC.

Guelleh’s campaign focused on maintaining stability in Djibouti, which sits on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key global shipping route linking to the Suez Canal. The country hosts military bases for several foreign powers, including the United States, China, France, Italy, and Japan.

The BBC reported that opposition parties have largely boycotted elections since 2016, saying there is no space for free political activity.

According to officials cited by the BBC, voter turnout in the election exceeded 80 percent.

The results still require validation by the Constitutional Council before Guelleh is sworn in for another five-year term.

Guelleh won the 2021 election by a similar margin. Constitutional changes in 2010 removed term limits and reduced presidential terms from six to five years.

Further amendments in November allowed him to contest the current election after the age limit was lifted.

Cabinet reviews proposal to unify law enforcement agencies

Posted on April 11, 2026April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Council of Ministers has reviewed a proposal by the Minister of Interior to unify law enforcement agencies under a single command structure.

On Friday, Minister of Interior Aleu Ayieny Aleu presented the Governance Cluster proposal during a meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The plan seeks to integrate the police, prison service, civil defence, and wildlife forces into a unified structure.

According to the minister, the proposal is intended to improve command, streamline operations, and address institutional fragmentation within the Ministry of Interior.

The proposal will be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly for consideration.

The Cabinet said the reform is aimed at building a professional and well-equipped police service to carry out its mandate.

“South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation reported that the discussion was successful on how the police can be unified into one force,” Yau-Yau said. “All organized forces will be part of the unified structure. The personnel will be trained, integrated, and equipped in line with government policies, ” he Deputy Minister of Information, David Yau-Yau, spoke on the proposal on the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation on Friday.

Officials said implementation will require training, integration of personnel, and adequate resources in line with government policies.

If implemented, the unified structure is expected to improve coordination and strengthen internal security operations.

National authorities moves to curb smuggling of fish, livestock products

Posted on April 11, 2026April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

The council of Ministers has announced new measures to curb the illegal smuggling of fish and livestock products as part of efforts to strengthen regulation in the sector.

The move follows the approval by the Council of Ministers of a Memorandum of Understanding presented by the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec, on the Livestock Development Policy and Strategic Plan for 2026–2030.

The policy aims to modernize and regulate the livestock and fisheries sectors and position them as contributors to economic growth.

The Deputy Minister of Information, David Yau-Yau, said the government is taking steps to manage livestock and fisheries resources. He said illegal smuggling has affected the sector, with fish and livestock products transported across borders without regulation.

He said the government also plans to improve livestock productivity through the introduction of improved breeds.

“South Sudan is leading in livestock and fisheries. So many people attempted to smuggle most of our fisheries across the regions without proper regulation,” Yau-Yau said.

The policy is expected to improve accountability, support commercialization, and increase the contribution of the livestock and fisheries sectors to the economy.

Government launches review of oil sales and oil-backed loans

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Ministry of Petroleum has launched a review of oil sales and crude oil-backed loans as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the oil sector.

The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Petroleum, Santino Ayuel Longar, announced the integration of the Oil Sales Review Committee, established by an order from the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

The committee is mandated to review crude oil transactions, including loans and advances secured against oil, and to assess oil marketing and sales operations. It will also compile and submit reports and documentation to support ongoing economic reforms.

Dr. Longar said the committee is expected to ensure compliance with legal and institutional frameworks governing the sector.

He said the oil sector continues to face internal and external challenges, requiring a review of current practices and improved coordination between the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

“The objective is to ensure that our systems are transparent, efficient, and aligned with our national priorities,” Dr. Longar said. “This makes it necessary to assess current practices, identify gaps, and strengthen coordination between the institutions involved.”

The initiative is expected to improve oversight, strengthen confidence in oil revenue management, and support economic stability in the country. Continue reading “Government launches review of oil sales and oil-backed loans”

UN secretary-general appoints Kiki Gbeho as new UNMISS head in South Sudan

Posted on April 11, 2026April 11, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

António Guterres has appointed Anita Kiki Gbeho of Ghana as his new Special Representative for South Sudan and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

According to a statement released on 10 April in New York, Ms. Gbeho succeeds the late Nicholas Haysom of South Africa. The Secretary-General expressed deep appreciation for Haysom’s dedication and effective leadership of UNMISS, as well as his more than two decades of distinguished service to the United Nations in advancing peace.

Ms. Gbeho brings over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, coordination, and management across political, development, and humanitarian sectors. She has served in various conflict and post-conflict settings, including Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Namibia, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Since 2024, she has been serving as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in UNMISS, in addition to her roles as Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Coordinator in South Sudan. During this period, she has also periodically acted as Officer-in-Charge.

Previously, Ms. Gbeho held several senior leadership roles, including Deputy Special Representative (Political) in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (2021–2023), Deputy Joint Special Representative in the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (2018–2020), and Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative with the United Nations Development Programme in Namibia (2015–2018).

She also served as Chief of Section at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in New York, and as Head of Office for OCHA in both Somalia and South Sudan.

Ms. Gbeho holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and African Studies from the State University of New York in the United States, and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Ghana, Legon. She is fluent in English. Continue reading “UN secretary-general appoints Kiki Gbeho as new UNMISS head in South Sudan”

Jonglei ramps up flood defences as rainy season begins

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

The Jonglei state government has launched a series of measures to protect communities from floods ahead of the 2026 rainy season, officials said.

Information Minister Nyamar Lony Thicot told Eye Radio on Thursday that a flood management committee, comprising government officials, community leaders, and humanitarian partners, has begun repairing dykes, opening drainage channels, and installing water pumps in Bor town and other vulnerable areas.

“The Flood Management Committee, together with our partners, is working to open water channels. Drainage channels are being rehabilitated and constructed along roads to allow water to move freely,” Thicot said.

“Sandbags have also been provided by our partners and the communities, and they will be installed to protect the communities from floods. Dykes are being rehabilitated to shield communities during the rainy season.”

Thicot added that a hydraulic head sensor, a machine that measures river water levels, has been acquired and will soon be installed on the River Nile in Bor. The device will help authorities provide early warnings to residents in case of rising waters.

The minister also highlighted the importance of road infrastructure for flood response, noting that roads in Bor, Twic East, and Duk counties have already been repaired, with works scheduled to start in Ayod and Nyirol counties.

“These newly refurbished roads are vital for rescuing people and delivering humanitarian assistance during floods,” she said.

Thicot praised international partners for their support, singling out the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for funding flood mitigation projects across the state. Continue reading “Jonglei ramps up flood defences as rainy season begins”

Hundreds displaced following attack on Wau county

Posted on April 9, 2026April 9, 2026 by Memoscar Lasuba

Hundreds of civilians have been displaced from Kpaile Payam in Wau County after an attack by armed elements from Boo Bridge in neighboring Western Equatoria State on Wednesday, the county commissioner has reported.

Commissioner Michael Geba Ukello said the Executive Chief informed him that many residents are currently hiding in the bush after their homes and property were destroyed by men wearing military uniforms.

“There are no confirmed reports of casualties so far,” Commissioner Ukello said, “but several houses have been burned, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind this attack.”

He called for the immediate withdrawal of the forces from the area to allow civilians to return home and prepare their land for the upcoming farming season. Ukello also appealed to authorities in Western Equatoria State to intervene and help restore stability in the region.

Speaking about the incident, he said: “Yesterday at around 4 p.m., I received a phone call from a local chief in the Bazia area informing me that a group of armed men from the Boo Bridge area in Western Equatoria State had attacked villages, burning houses and looting civilians’ property.”

Most of the residents, including the Executive Chief, have fled into the bush for safety. I have informed the state’s senior security authorities about the incident, and they assured me that orders would be issued for the forces to withdraw.”

Eye Radio reached out to the Commissioner of Nagero County, Ucin Nichola Vero, for comment. He said he would respond later, citing his involvement in an ongoing meeting. Continue reading “Hundreds displaced following attack on Wau county”