South Sudan In Focus - VOA Africa

Today’s top stories: South Sudan government officials sign a five year deal with oil companies to increase revenue and oil production in the country; Imatong State authorities enforce a travel ban in response to repeated violence against civilians along the Torit-Juba and Magwi roads; and the UNHCR receives a three million dollar donation to provide aid to refugees in Uganda.

Today’s top stories: A spokesman for the National Democratic Movement blames Riek Machar's SPLA-IO for attacks on Hamra Village in Upper Nile State; a wildfire destroys hundreds of hectares of crops in Imatong State; and some South Sudanese in Uganda take up farming to supplement the help they receive from humanitarian agencies.

Today’s top stories: Unidentified gunmen kill two passengers and injure several others in an attack along the Torit-Juba road; youths in Imatong State say there aren’t many job opportunities due to the ongoing conflict; and South Sudanese in Kampala, Uganda hope for a new era of peace in the new year.

Today’s top stories: Authorities in Kajo Keji County recover hundreds of stolen cattle; municipal authorities in Torit arrest and fine almost a dozen butchers for increasing their meat prices; and South Sudanese refugees in Uganda live with people of different cultures and adapt to new environments.

Today’s top stories: First Vice President Taban Deng Gai urges armed men in Yei River County to join the National Army; a South Sudanese musician advocates for peaceful coexistence among refugees living in Ugandan settlement camps; and South Sudanese civilians call on their leaders to restore peace across the country in 2017.

Today’s top stories: Insecurity and the economic crisis in Yei River State force county commissioners to stay in the state capital rather than their respective counties; South Sudanese find ways to integrate into Ugandan society by learning the local language; and a look back at major news events that dominated the headlines in South Sudan over the past year.

Today’s top stories: A South Sudanese church leader believes religious leaders should be given a chance to spearhead the national dialogue towards lasting peace in South Sudan; a member of South Sudan’s parliament says President Kiir’s heavy-handed tactics are to blame for the increase in violence in the Equatoria Region; and South Sudanese college students in Uganda talk about the challenge to stay in school.

Today’s top stories: A U.S. State Department spokesman says efforts to end the violence against South Sudanese civilians will continue despite the failure to enforce targeted sanctions and an arms embargo on South Sudan; Ugandan officials commit to providing education for South Sudanese refugees; and South Sudanese women balance between their roles as professionals, mothers and wives.

Today’s top stories: The Sudan government frees opposition politicians who were arrested in Khartoum last month; South Sudanese teachers in Ugandan resettlement camps receive training to help children suffering from trauma; and young South Sudanese students explain the challenges of connecting with friends and family around the world.

Today’s top stories: Some South Sudanese professionals seeking refuge in Uganda are denied jobs despite their qualifications; an education specialist at the University of Juba says adopting traditions and cultures across neighboring countries could negatively affect the future of South Sudanese children; and an in-depth look at U.S. President Barack Obama’s emergency plan for AIDS relief.