The Juba Bridge may again be partially closed down if the out-bound lane is not urgently rehabilitated, the head of the Roads Authority has Continue reading Official warns of another partial closure of Juba Bridge
Category: Featured
Conflict persists in Equatoria despite ceasefire deal – RJMEC
South Sudan peace monitoring body has affirmed that the armed conflicts in Equatoria region have persisted and resulted in several deaths Continue reading Conflict persists in Equatoria despite ceasefire deal – RJMEC
Sudan releases young South Sudanese migrants
More than 30 South Sudanese migrants who were detained by the Sudanese anti-smuggling unit along the border with Libya have been Continue reading Sudan releases young South Sudanese migrants
3rd generation locust attack Eastern Equatoria
The third generation of desert locusts have begun to devastate the eastern part of Eastern Equatoria State, an official has said. Continue reading 3rd generation locust attack Eastern Equatoria
S Sudan gets five GeneXpert machines
The UN Refugee Agency says it has installed five new Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis machines in five locations in South Sudan. Continue reading S Sudan gets five GeneXpert machines
Mistrust, Covid-19 and intercommunal affect peace deal implementation
Mistrust between the parties, intercommunal violence, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic have had some effect on the peace Continue reading Mistrust, Covid-19 and intercommunal affect peace deal implementation
EAC boss urges Juba to clear membership fee arrears
The chairperson of the East African Community has urged South Sudan to pay its annual contribution if it wants to continue to benefit from Continue reading EAC boss urges Juba to clear membership fee arrears
World Bank offers S Sudan 45-million-dollar grant
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a $45 million grant to improve access to basic infrastructure and strengthen community institutions in South Sudan.
The funds under the International Development Association is expected to benefit about 630,000 people.
According to statement issued Monday, the money will also provide investments for community infrastructure and services prioritized by the communities, building inclusive and participatory community-led development.
It is further expected to help in training at designated community institutions on how to manage local development and social tensions over service delivery.
The bank hopes this will help people in establishing the foundations of local governance structures that can be sustained in the longer-term.
It stated that years of conflict and natural disasters have had a devastating effect on South Sudan’s economy and people.
The bank notes that the already scarce social and physical infrastructure have been damaged as protracted conflict has further eroded the social fabric, weakening both formal and informal institutions.
The South Sudan Minister of Finance said the funds will help in delivering of basic service, particularly in vulnerable areas that suffer gravely from impacts of violent conflict, high concentration of returnees, and natural hazards.
“I am very pleased that South Sudan is receiving much-needed assistance for basic service delivery, particularly in vulnerable areas that suffer gravely from impacts of violent conflict, high concentration of returnees, and natural hazards. Rebuilding social cohesion among different groups is crucial for the people and the country to move forward,” said Hon. Salvatore Garang Mabiordit, Minister of Finance and Planning for the Republic of South Sudan.
Millions of South Sudanese do not have proper access to basic services; only 1 percent of rural households have access to electricity, and just 5 percent have access to improved sanitation. Furthermore, over 70 percent of school-age children are not attending school.
It warned the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak could exacerbate the situation and push vulnerable people into poverty, adding that local governments and community institutions have been unable to deliver services such as health and education, due to capacity and resource constraints.
The South Sudan Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance Project (ECRP) will scale up these efforts, with a focus on conflict-affected and vulnerable areas.
“South Sudan is going through a critical period of transition. The project helps improve people’s access to services in a more inclusive and equitable manner,” said Husam Abudagga, World Bank Country Manager for South Sudan.
“The project also contributes to the building of a national local-level institutional structure for a more inclusive service delivery.”
It will be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services, in close collaboration with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and development partners.
Why Wau’s incident almost brought the SSPDF and SPLA-IO to war
In July, there was a standoff between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces after the SSPDF arrested SPLA-IO senior military officer, Brigadier Continue reading Why Wau’s incident almost brought the SSPDF and SPLA-IO to war
Police detain 16 people linked to Rock City murders
Sixteen suspects have been detained in connection with the murder of three little children in Juba at the weekend, the Inspector-General of Continue reading Police detain 16 people linked to Rock City murders