AGP Executive Report

Election Preparations: South Sudan’s elections commission says local chiefs can certify voters without national IDs or passports, as preparations continue for the December 22 poll. Yei activists say local election offices and voter education are still lacking. Security Concerns: At least 71 people were reported killed in clashes in Rumbek. A civil society coalition says political and military figures are fuelling communal violence, while the SPLA-IO claims it captured a government barracks near Mundri. Humanitarian Crisis: The US condemned an attack on WFP workers and looting of food aid in Jonglei intended for nearly 20,000 people, calling for safe aid access and accountability. Government Directive: President Salva Kiir has ordered officials and security personnel to obtain his approval before travelling abroad, for three months as the country prepares for elections. Juba Development: The World Bank is exploring support to expand urban development work in Juba, including infrastructure, services and planning.

Election Preparations: President Salva Kiir says South Sudan will hold its first general election on December 22, but concerns persist over readiness. In Yei, a civil society leader says the electoral commission has yet to establish county offices or begin voter education. Communal Violence: At least 71 people, including four soldiers, were killed in fighting around Rumbek, according to a preliminary government report. A civil society coalition warns violence is spreading and accuses politicians and military officers of fuelling clashes, without naming them. Security: The SPLA-IO says it captured a government barracks near Mundri in Western Equatoria; casualties have not been confirmed. Humanitarian Access: The U.S. condemned an attack on World Food Programme workers and the looting of aid intended for nearly 20,000 people in Jonglei, urging safe access and accountability. Juba Development: The World Bank is exploring support for urban infrastructure, planning and services in Juba and surrounding areas.

Communal Violence: Clashes in Rumbek, Lakes State, killed at least 71 people, including four soldiers. In Jonglei, Twic East and Duk communities have agreed to end hostilities after deadly disputes over fishing islands. December Elections: President Salva Kiir reaffirmed his commitment to December polls after talks in Kenya and South Africa, while an opposition alliance warned against using political dialogue to delay the vote. Trade and Business: South Sudan has broken ground on a cargo hub in Kenya’s Mai Mahiu Special Economic Zone, aimed at easing the movement of more than 1.5 million tonnes of cargo a year. Juba says it has issued no order for foreign nationals to leave, though county authorities have restricted foreign traders’ small-scale retail activity. Youth and Inclusion: UNDP has provided ICT equipment to the Youth Ministry, while a Juba wheelchair basketball tournament brought together 45 players from across the country.

Elections: President Salva Kiir has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to December polls, while a civil society activist urged voters to choose leaders focused on basic services and called for women, youth and people with disabilities to take part. Security: At least 71 people, including four soldiers, were killed in clashes in Rumbek. Separately, rival communities in Jonglei’s Twic East and Duk counties agreed to end hostilities over disputed fishing islands. Trade and Jobs: South Sudan has broken ground on a cargo hub in Kenya’s Mai Mahiu Special Economic Zone, intended to speed imports and exports and ease pressure on Mombasa port. UNDP also handed ICT equipment to the Youth Ministry; its youth-enterprise project has provided interest-free loans to 1,247 youth- and women-led businesses. Environment: A new national committee will guide financing for biodiversity conservation and help prepare the country’s first Biodiversity Finance Plan.

Communal Violence: Clashes between rival groups in Rumbek, Lakes State, left at least 71 people dead, including four soldiers. Security forces were deployed, and the violence has intensified concerns about stability as elections approach. December Elections: President Salva Kiir told caretaker officials his Kenya and South Africa visits secured support for December polls. An opposition alliance warned against using political dialogue to delay the vote or extend the transition. Trade and Business: Uganda and South Sudan are seeking to expand trade, already worth up to $800 million annually. Juba also clarified that there is no national order expelling foreign traders, though county authorities have moved to reserve small-scale retail for South Sudanese. Oil and Health: South Africa’s planned oil project in Jonglei faces major terrain, security and logistics hurdles. Meanwhile, Ebola hotspots near South Sudan’s border with DR Congo heighten health concerns; the reported closure of the US CDC’s South Sudan office adds to questions about outbreak preparedness.

Intercommunal Violence: At least 71 people, including four soldiers, were killed in clashes near Rumbek over grazing land, authorities said. Security forces restored order, but the bloodshed underscores the risks facing communities as elections approach. Election Preparations: President Salva Kiir returned to Juba after talks in Kenya and South Africa, seeking technical, logistical and financial support for the December vote. Meanwhile, party candidates are entering primaries and peace groups are urging peaceful campaigning. Foreign Traders: The Foreign Affairs Ministry says there is no national order for foreign nationals to leave South Sudan. Its clarification follows a Juba County move to reserve small-scale retail trade for South Sudanese. Health Risks: The U.S. CDC closed its South Sudan office on October 1, ending two decades of operations, while Ebola hotspots in neighbouring DR Congo have emerged near the border. Oil Investment: South Africa is pressing ahead with plans for a refinery in Jonglei, but conflict, difficult terrain and unexploded ordnance complicate efforts to survey the site.

Lakes State Violence: At least 71 people, including four soldiers, were killed in armed clashes near Rumbek. Authorities say security forces restored order and arrested four people as South Sudan prepares for December elections. Election Diplomacy: President Salva Kiir has returned to Juba after talks in Kenya and South Africa, seeking regional support for the vote and peace efforts. Foreign Traders: The Foreign Ministry says no national order requires foreigners to leave South Sudan, after Juba County restricted their small-scale retail businesses. Public Health: The U.S. CDC closed its South Sudan office on Oct. 1, raising concerns about disease surveillance as Ebola hotspots emerge near the border in DR Congo. Oil Investment: South Africa is pressing ahead with planning for a proposed refinery in Jonglei, but conflict risks, difficult terrain and unexploded ordnance pose major obstacles.

Election Race: Former Central Equatoria governors Emmanuel Adil Anthony and Rabi Mujung have entered the SPLM gubernatorial primaries, while comedian-turned-politician Majuetdit is seeking the Northern Bahr el Ghazal nomination. Civil society groups are urging candidates to reject violence and put citizens’ needs first ahead of December’s planned vote. Security: The army has ordered Agwelek fighters in several states to report to regroupment zones for inspection and integration into national forces under a 2022 agreement. Foreign Traders: The Foreign Ministry says no order has been issued for foreign nationals to leave South Sudan, amid controversy over calls for foreigners to stop small-scale retail trade. Healthcare: Cancer survivors and families are urging the government to establish a treatment centre, saying patients are forced to seek costly care abroad.

Election Watch: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged Salva Kiir to address political, security and logistical hurdles to South Sudan’s planned December 22 vote. The National Election Commission says voter registration should begin in the coming weeks, while Northern Bahr el Ghazal residents say they want elected leaders to deliver roads, hospitals and schools beyond Juba. Trade Tensions: Juba County Commissioner Kalisto Lado denies ordering foreigners to leave, but says they should quit small-scale retail and focus on wholesale and larger investments. Uganda has urged South Sudan to protect lawful businesses, raising concerns about regional trade ties. Infrastructure and Business: Rehabilitation has begun on the long-delayed Magwi–Palotaka–Palwar road, expected to help farmers reach markets. The government is also discussing the reopening of MTN mobile-money services amid calls for better digital access. Health Crisis: South Sudan’s trauma wards are struggling to cope with casualties from renewed fighting, while Ebola hotspots near the border with the DRC heighten concern over cross-border spread.

Election Preparations: South Sudan’s election commission says voter registration could begin in the coming weeks as the country prepares for December polls. President Salva Kiir and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also discussed election readiness, peace implementation and political dialogue. Retail Dispute: Juba County Commissioner Kalisto Lado denied ordering foreigners to leave, but said foreign traders should leave small-scale retail for South Sudanese. Uganda urged Juba to protect its traders, while South Sudan’s envoy said there would be no blanket ban. Trade and Services: The government and MTN discussed restoring mobile-money services, while rehabilitation has begun on the long-delayed Magwi–Palwar road to improve access to markets. Machar Trial: Riek Machar called on the special court to deliver a fair verdict, saying political interference threatens the right to a fair trial.

Election Pressure: South Sudan’s December 22 vote faces a major funding gap: the elections commission has received just $27 million of the $250 million it says it needs, while voter registration has yet to begin. Trade Tensions: Juba County’s push to reserve small-scale retail for South Sudanese has alarmed Ugandan traders. Commissioner Kalisto Ladu denies ordering foreigners to leave, and Uganda is urging South Sudan to protect lawful businesses and address concerns without discrimination. Mining Reform: The government has begun overhauling mining laws and regulations, aiming to strengthen oversight and attract investment after years of implementation exposed gaps. Security and Civilians: Church leaders are demanding an end to armed mobilisation and violence amid deaths, displacement and disrupted aid access; six Christian workers abducted in Western Equatoria were released after five days in captivity.

Regional Trade: Uganda has urged Juba to protect its traders after reports that foreign nationals were told to stop retailing. Juba County Commissioner Kalisto Ladu denies ordering foreigners out, saying they may trade wholesale and invest in larger businesses. December Elections: Preparations for the December 22 vote remain uncertain. The Elections Commission says it has received just $27 million of the $250 million required, while voter registration has yet to begin. The commission is seeking church support for peaceful participation. Food Crisis: WFP warns that more than one million people could lose food assistance without new funding. Stocks at its Malakal hub have plunged from 10,000 tonnes a year ago to under 300, as refugees arrive from Sudan and prices rise. Oil and Investment: Juba is courting investors and promoting exploration, refining and infrastructure, but conflict across the border continues to threaten crude exports. Security: South Sudan’s church leaders warn that armed youth mobilisation, violence and dangerous roads are displacing communities and restricting aid.

Humanitarian Crisis: Food stocks are collapsing for refugees and returnees in South Sudan’s border areas, with WFP warning that more than a million vulnerable people could lose life-saving food and nutrition help by October as supplies in hubs like Malakal fall sharply. Health System Strain: Only 11% of South Sudan’s health facilities are highly functional, and aid cuts are forcing closures—MSF says two-thirds of primary care centres in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have shut, pushing families to travel far for treatment. Elections & Governance: South Sudan says it has completed key legal steps for December polls, while Kenya’s Ruto and Kiir urge dialogue and consensus; meanwhile, Central Equatoria’s caretaker governor orders ministers to protect public resources and prepare voters. Refugees’ Rights: Refugees are demanding stronger protection and easier access to services, saying documentation and registration problems can lead to arrest and block healthcare. Local Economy & Trade: Juba County moves to restrict foreign nationals from small-scale retail, sparking panic among Ugandan traders; the policy targets chapati, onions, tomatoes and similar retail activities, pushing foreigners toward wholesale. Regional Politics: Four African leaders issue a joint declaration calling for peaceful solutions as Ethiopia’s conflict escalates and tensions with Eritrea and Egypt rise. Energy & Jobs: Dangote says the $16bn East Africa refinery in Lamu will be delivered in 40 months, with a local content push and 30% equity offered to East African countries—framed as a boost for regional energy security.

Elections & Governance: South Sudan says it has completed legal steps for the 22 December 2026 polls, with President Salva Kiir telling Kenya’s William Ruto that elections are ready while logistics and finances are still underway; Ruto urged dialogue and consensus. Health Crisis: Only 11% of supported health facilities are highly functional, and aid cuts are forcing closures—MSF says two thirds of primary healthcare centres in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have shut, leaving women and children to travel long distances for care. Security & Detention: UNMISS built a new police post in Yambio to improve detention conditions, including separate cells by gender and status. Refugees: Refugees in South Sudan are demanding stronger protection and easier access to services, saying documentation and registration problems can lead to arrest and block healthcare. Local Economy: Juba’s caretaker commissioner Kalisto Ladu ordered foreign nationals to stop running small retail trade (including chapati stalls and boda bodas), saying retail should be reserved for South Sudanese while foreigners focus on wholesale and larger investments. Agriculture & Food Risk: The World Bank warns El Niño could cut yields across East Africa, including South Sudan, raising the risk of hunger by early 2027.

Regional Diplomacy: President Salva Kiir met Kenya’s William Ruto in Nairobi to push regional economic and infrastructure cooperation ahead of South Sudan’s December 22 elections, with talks also aimed at stability and bilateral ties. Trade & Finance: China’s expanded zero-tariff policy could open new market access for South Sudanese goods, while the Ministry of Trade urged banks to form a banking union and accelerate digital banking as a cash shortage keeps people from withdrawing money; Equity Bank met the ministry over the liquidity crisis. Oil & Industry: Kenya’s Port of Lamu welcomed the MV Hamouna, underscoring Lamu’s growing role as a maritime hub as the region positions itself around refinery-linked trade. Health: The Ministry of Health said 850,000 malaria cases were treated with first-line medicines in the first half of 2026. Elections & Politics: The Opposition Alliance defended PPC chair James Akol Zakayo amid disputes over party registration, while USAP condemned its exclusion from dialogue on the 2018 peace agreement. Security & Rights: A Yei student survived an arson attack, renewing fears over insecurity, and teachers in Yei demanded better pay and conditions.

Elections & Dialogue: President Salva Kiir has travelled to Kenya for high-level talks with President William Ruto, with election readiness and regional stability on the agenda as South Sudan heads toward the 22 December 2026 vote. Civic Space & Peace Process: The USAP party says it was excluded from an inter-party dialogue tied to the 2018 peace agreement, warning that silencing signatories undermines credible elections. Accountability in Aid: The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission urged 32 civil society groups to use EU-funded grants transparently and include women, youth and marginalized communities in decision-making. Food Security: UN Women warns 11.7 million more women and girls could face food insecurity by end-2026, with South Sudan named among the most at-risk conflict-affected areas. Local Economy & Security: Morobo traders called on the new caretaker commissioner to prioritize security to protect goods and revive cross-border trade. Agriculture & Resilience: A cassava flour processing project was launched in Wau to improve food security and livelihoods, supported by Norway-funded programming. Humanitarian Crisis: Boma County remains in emergency acute food insecurity, with health officials citing severe malnutrition pressures.