AGP Executive Report

Ebola Response: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Uganda’s handling of the Ebola outbreak linked to DR Congo, saying border screening, surveillance, testing and case management are working—while urging Uganda to ease border restrictions that he says hurt the economy. Regional Health Aid: UNICEF says it has rushed more than 100 metric tons of emergency supplies to DR Congo, including PPE, medicines and WASH materials, as the outbreak remains “highly concerning.” Elections & Politics: Analysts say President Salva Kiir’s Bahr el Ghazal tour looks like early election positioning ahead of December 2026, aimed at strengthening loyalty networks in a key SPLM stronghold. Party Preparedness: In Juba, the Political Parties Council launched a five-day workshop to help registered parties prepare for the general elections, including governance, conflict resolution and digital operations. Governance & Security: Co-operative Bank of South Sudan hosted a Northern Bahr el Ghazal forum to boost food security, market access and jobs through the co-operative model. Diplomacy: Ethiopia concluded a five-day diplomatic training program for South Sudanese diplomats in Addis Ababa, covering modern diplomacy, negotiation and peacekeeping. Health & Services: Kiir’s medical team provided free treatment at Akon Hospital in Warrap, reporting hundreds of patients seen for illnesses including pneumonia and malaria. Local Economy: Farmers in Yei River County called for more support—tools, storage and transport—to raise food production and cut rising household hunger.

Ebola & Border Controls: Mauritius has temporarily banned entry for foreigners who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days, while residents and citizens can enter but must undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine; the move follows the WHO-declared Ebola emergency in eastern DRC and rising regional screening. Public Health Pressure: The UN warns the Hormuz crisis and war-linked supply disruptions are feeding into a wider food crisis, with hunger risks spreading beyond the Middle East and hitting vulnerable communities. Peacekeeping & Safety: The UN marked the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, honoring more than 4,500 fallen blue helmets over 78 years, as attacks continue to endanger missions. Detention & Rights in South Sudan: Aweil East youth petitioned President Kiir to release three former senior officials held for months without charge, while another youth association in Juba called for the release of six detainees held since late 2025/early 2026. Oil Transparency: Civil society activist Edmund Yakani urged South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum to disclose oil revenue figures, not just production, and push earnings into productive sectors like agriculture.

Ebola Response & Travel Curbs: Mauritius temporarily banned entry for foreign nationals who recently traveled to, transited through, or stayed in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan, while allowing residents and citizens back with a mandatory 21-day quarantine and enhanced screening—UAE also introduced related travel restrictions. Public Health Pressure in the US: The CDC expanded Ebola airport screening to Atlanta (adding to Dulles) and issued a separate Los Angeles alert tied to medical tourism. South Sudan Detention Watch: Aweil East youth petitioned President Kiir to release three former senior officials held for months without charge, while Twic Mayardit youth demanded the release of six detainees held since late 2025/early 2026. Oil & Economy Accountability: Civil society activist Edmund Yakani urged the Ministry of Petroleum to disclose oil export revenue, not just production figures. Healthcare Support: Nilepet donated hygiene and sanitation supplies to Juba Teaching Hospital to boost infection prevention. Digital Finance: DigiCash and Inkomoko launched a partnership to expand mobile-based services for small businesses amid cash shortages.

Ebola Response and Travel Curbs: Mauritius temporarily banned entry for foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days, while allowing citizens and legal residents to enter but requiring a 21-day quarantine; the UAE also introduced Ebola-linked travel restrictions for passengers from the same countries, tightening screening as the outbreak continues to worry the region. Cross-Border Trade Hit: Uganda’s border closure with the DRC over Ebola fears is leaving traders with rotting goods and mounting losses, as trucks are stuck at Mpondwe and other points. Health Aid Funding: The U.S. announced nearly $38 million more for Ebola response in the DRC and Uganda, bringing its direct contribution to over $200 million, alongside earlier humanitarian support that includes South Sudan. Oil Sector Labor Pressure: Oil workers’ unions in South Sudan are resisting a directive tied to contributions to the National Social Insurance Fund, saying legal steps were skipped. Elections and Peace: President Salva Kiir urged mass voter registration ahead of December 2026 elections, calling elections the “only pathway” to a peaceful transition. Reintegration Story: Four women, eight men and two children—14 former LRA captives—returned from Juba to Uganda for rehabilitation after years in captivity, welcomed with Acholi cultural ceremonies.

Ebola Response and Border Fallout: Mauritius temporarily bans entry for foreigners arriving from, transiting through, or staying in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days, with returning residents allowed but forced into a 21-day quarantine; the UAE also imposes travel restrictions over Ebola risk, while Uganda’s border closure with Congo is disrupting traders and leaving goods rotting at Mpondwe. U.S. Funding Boost: The U.S. announces nearly $38 million more for Ebola containment in DRC and Uganda, bringing its direct contribution above $200 million, as South Sudan says it has no Ebola cases and intensifies border monitoring. Oil Workers vs Social Insurance Fund: Oil-sector unions in South Sudan call for suspending a National Social Insurance Fund directive, arguing legal steps like a board of trustees and required procedures were not followed. Digital Finance Push: DigiCash and Inkomoko partner to expand mobile money access for small businesses, targeting cash shortages by enabling loans, payments, and transfers via wallets and retail outlets. Elections and Peace: President Kiir urges mass voter registration ahead of December 2026 elections, saying elections are the only path to a peaceful transition.

Ebola and borders: DR Congo condemned Ebola-related travel bans as discriminatory, while Uganda tightened the Congo border and traders reported major losses; the UAE also announced entry limits for travelers from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, as health officials push “identify, isolate and inform” and report revised case counts. Elections and security: President Salva Kiir urged mass voter registration during a Wau visit, as over 3,000 police recruits began election-security training in Juba ahead of December 2026 polls. Opposition politics: SPLM-IO alleged an assassination plot against detained leader Riek Machar, and PDM plunged into an internal leadership fight after Josephine Joseph Lagu was removed as chairperson. Economy and livelihoods: Co-op Bank of South Sudan backed the cooperative movement with a forum for 41 societies in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, while UNDP and AfDB support ICT for economic governance. Regional ties: South Sudan said it wants to deepen relations with Ethiopia, and railways in Kenya and Uganda renewed Northern Corridor freight cooperation.

Elections & Politics: President Salva Kiir urged mass voter registration as elections stay the “ultimate objective” of the 2018 peace deal, speaking to supporters in Wau as he begins a Greater Bahr el Ghazal tour. Opposition Tensions: SPLM-IO alleged an assassination plot against detained leader Riek Machar, while PDM is rocked by a leadership fight after Josephine Joseph Lagu was removed and replaced by Mathew John Barnaba as interim chair. Security Prep: Over 3,000 police recruits started election security training in Juba, with a focus on crowd control, crime prevention, and rapid response. Armed Mobilization Warning: Civil society flagged looming armed group mobilization in Jonglei that could trigger renewed violence against communities in Greater Pibor. Oil & Economy: GPOC reported crude output of 60,158 barrels per day—its highest since 2005—signaling a major boost for South Sudan’s petroleum sector. Governance & Services: UNDP and AfDB handed ICT equipment to strengthen economic governance, while Western Equatoria moved to improve audit and public financial management. Health: Ebola updates dominated the region, with Kenya reporting 56 samples negative and intensified screening due to cases in DRC and Uganda.

Oil Sector Boost: South Sudan’s Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) hit its highest crude output in nearly two decades, reaching 60,158 barrels per day as of May 29, with President Kiir urging stakeholders to keep oil fields stable and push production higher. Humanitarian & Economy: In refugee settlements like Bazia, aid rations are increasingly being sold because cash has “evaporated,” with people using part of their food to buy essentials like medicine and school fees. Urban Development: The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development announced a nationwide urban modernization push starting June 9, beginning in Juba and expanding to other cities with support from the World Bank. Elections & Parties: The Political Parties Council set June 30, 2026 as the final registration deadline for parties seeking to contest the December elections. Ebola & Borders (Regional): East African Community health ministers agreed to harmonize Ebola screening and protective measures across borders and airports, and to set up a regional technical task force to coordinate the response. Mining Regulation: South Sudan’s mining minister said foreign investors must comply with national mining laws and safe practices, promising stronger transparency and regulation.

Ebola Response in the Region: East African Community health ministers agreed to harmonise Ebola surveillance and protective measures at airports, ports and land borders, setting up a regional technical taskforce to coordinate the response as cases in DR Congo and Uganda keep rising. Elections Watch: South Sudan’s Political Parties Council set June 30, 2026 as the final deadline for parties seeking to contest the 2026 general elections, warning late applicants will be disqualified. Oil and Jobs for the Economy: President Salva Kiir urged oil stakeholders to keep fields stable and push production higher after Greater Pioneer Operating Company reported output rising to about 60,000 barrels per day. Urban Development: The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development announced a nationwide urban modernization initiative starting in Juba, with a June 9 launch planned with World Bank support. Mining Regulation: South Sudan’s mining minister said foreign investors must follow national mining laws and safe practices, after meetings with a gold investor in Juba. Youth and Community Sports: Yambio elected a leadership committee to organise the 2026 inter-area football tournament, calling it a community-driven peace and youth participation effort.

Mining & Investment: South Sudan’s Mining Minister says foreign companies must follow national mining laws, safe practices, and regulations as Bianchi Gold Trading Company discusses cooperation in Juba. Urban Development: The Lands, Housing and Urban Development Ministry announced a nationwide urban modernization push starting in Juba on June 9, with the World Bank leading surveys and assessments. Elections Watch: The Political Parties Council set June 30, 2026 as the final registration deadline for parties seeking to contest the historic 2026 general elections. Central Equatoria Security: President Salva Kiir directed Central Equatoria State to tighten security and maintain peace as election preparations continue. Media & Tech: The Media Authority urged journalists to use AI responsibly, verify AI content, and protect journalistic integrity. Ebola & Travel Rules: With Ebola fears across Africa, the U.S. paused visa services in South Sudan and other affected countries, while the U.S. also outlined a voluntary quarantine and evacuation plan for Americans exposed to Ebola. Education: The Ministry of General Education released the 2025 CSE results, reporting an 80.7% pass rate. Local Tragedy: A protocol officer in Vice President Abdelbagi’s office died in a road accident in Aweil East County.

Ebola & Travel Rules: The UAE says there are currently no Ebola cases in the country, while the WHO links a recent UAE-linked traveller to cases in Uganda; meanwhile, the U.S. is pushing Ebola precautions tied to World Cup travel, including a Kenya quarantine plan, and the U.S. has paused visa services for South Sudan, DR Congo and Uganda. Elections & Politics: South Sudan’s Political Parties Council set a June 30, 2026 deadline for parties to register to contest the 2026 elections. Sanctions & Diplomacy: South Sudan rejected U.S. remarks at the UN Security Council and renewed its call to lift sanctions and the arms embargo. Food Security: The UN warns 7.2 million people in South Sudan urgently need food assistance as hunger risks deepen. Local Governance & Security: President Kiir ordered Central Equatoria to tighten security and maintain peace ahead of elections. Education: The Ministry of General Education released 2025 CSE results, reporting an 80.7% pass rate. Road Incident: A VP Hussein Abdelbagi aide died in a crash in Aweil East County. Media & Tech: The Media Authority urged journalists to use AI responsibly and verify AI-generated content.

Humanitarian Integrity: A new report warns that propaganda and false information are eroding trust and making humanitarian work harder in a “post-truth” information environment. Ebola Response in the Region: WHO says the DRC’s rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is spreading fast and needs community trust; meanwhile, Kenya has classified 25 counties as very high or high risk and is intensifying screening at entry points. South Sudan and UN Sanctions: Juba says renewed UN sanctions and the arms embargo are counterproductive, arguing they weaken state security capacity instead of armed groups. Parliament and Governance: South Sudan’s parliament speaker launched a staff screening exercise to fix payroll irregularities and improve workforce records. Trade and Finance: ITC and Equity Group signed a deal to unlock trade finance and support small businesses in East Africa’s coffee, leather and creative sectors, with South Sudan listed among Equity’s banking markets. Refugee Movements: Refugee leaders in Uganda say more young South Sudanese are returning home voluntarily, despite hardship and insecurity.

Ebola Response and Travel Safety: WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has reached 321 confirmed cases and 48 deaths, with Uganda reporting 15 cases, as Tedros Ghebreyesus stresses community trust and local ownership to stop transmission. World Cup Health Measures: The UK Foreign Office warned travellers from DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan to watch for symptoms for 21 days, while the US, Canada and Mexico tightened entry rules and screenings ahead of the tournament. Kenya Quarantine Protests: Kenya’s High Court extended a halt on a US-linked Ebola quarantine facility near Nanyuki after deadly protests, highlighting public anger over sovereignty and health equity. South Sudan and UN Sanctions: Juba condemned renewed UN sanctions and the arms embargo as “counterproductive,” arguing they weaken state security reforms, while an opinion piece says sanctions alone won’t solve South Sudan’s problems. Parliament and Accountability: South Sudan’s parliament began a workforce screening to curb payroll irregularities and fraud. Food Crisis Warning: UN agencies warned funding cuts are creating “unprecedented” hunger gaps, with WFP facing a 75% shortfall. Local Health Push: Yei launched a mosquito net campaign to cut malaria. Refugee Returns: South Sudanese refugees in Uganda are returning home despite hardship, then sometimes coming back after insecurity and lack of food.

Ebola and cross-border health pressure: South Sudan’s government pushed back on renewed U.N. sanctions and the arms embargo, arguing they undermine peace implementation and security reforms, while across the region Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya warned Ebola travel bans can backfire by discouraging reporting and disrupting health work as suspected cases in DR Congo and Uganda top 1,100. Local health support: Yei County launched a mosquito net campaign aiming to protect more than 227,700 people from malaria, with distribution teams trained to reach households fairly. Peacekeeping remembrance: Three Cambodian peacekeepers who served in South Sudan and the Central African Republic will receive the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal at the U.N. headquarters on June 5. Elections and politics: Opposition alliance leader VP Hussein Abdelbagi Akol urged Muslims in Northern Bahr el Ghazal to back President Salva Kiir in December 2026 polls, while an SPLM official in Torit pledged grassroots mobilisation ahead of elections. Economy and business: South Sudan’s trade ministry met business groups over high taxes, FX instability, border delays, unreliable electricity, and counterfeit goods; separately, a young oil executive highlighted reforms to boost production and economic recovery.

Ebola Crisis: The International Rescue Committee warns the DRC Ebola outbreak is “likely far worse” than official figures, citing delayed detection and only about 20% of contacts being traced; suspected cases have topped 1,000 and aid groups fear spread to neighbors including South Sudan. Vaccine Push: Three vaccine makers received up to $50m to develop a shot for the Bundibugyo strain as medics report recoveries but the response struggles to keep up. Regional Health Response: East African Community health ministers are meeting to coordinate a cross-border plan, including mobile labs and rapid response teams, as Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya flags vaccine and medicine gaps. South Sudan Politics & Sanctions: South Sudan rejected fresh U.S. criticism after the UN renewed sanctions and an arms embargo, while a local analyst said the measures aim to push security sector reforms. Elections & Unity: VP Hussein Abdelbagi Akol urged Muslims in Northern Bahr el Ghazal to back President Salva Kiir in December 2026 polls, and called on Warrap communities to stop violence. Hunger Watch: WFP scaled up aid in Akobo as IPC reports famine-level conditions for tens of thousands amid conflict and limited access.

Ebola Response in East Africa: The EAC is convening an emergency virtual meeting of health ministers June 1–2 to coordinate action against the fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo and Uganda, with a focus on surveillance, lab testing, infection control, and risk communication. Ebola Numbers and Funding Pressure: Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya says confirmed cases stand at 263 with 43 deaths, but more than 1,100 suspected cases are still under investigation, warning the region must “move at the speed of the epidemic” as a $319 million response plan is adopted by DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. South Sudan Sanctions: The UN Security Council renewed South Sudan sanctions for one year, extending the arms embargo, travel bans, and asset freezes until May 31, 2027, with Pakistan abstaining and critics arguing sanctions can hinder progress. UNMISS Under Strain: UNMISS says budget pressures have forced base closures and reduced peacekeeping personnel even as insecurity and displacement continue ahead of December 2026 elections. Korea-Africa Diplomacy: South Korea hosted its first ministerial Korea-Africa foreign ministers meeting in Seoul, aiming to deepen cooperation on shared growth and global supply-chain and security challenges. Accountability in Sweden: A landmark Lundin war crimes trial in Sweden has wrapped up after three years, with South Sudanese plaintiffs seeking compensation and justice over Block 5A abuses.