South Sudan In Focus - VOA Africa

Today’s top stories: The United Nations Security Council fails to secure enough votes to pass a resolution that would expand targeted sanctions and an arms embargo on South Sudan; South Sudanese refugees in Uganda say they do not have the means to afford a Christmas celebration; and a charitable organization distributes food to hundreds of families in Imotong State.

Today’s top stories: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni makes a surprise visit to Juba to call for an end to insecurity in South Sudan; the wife of former Vice-President Riek Machar says lack of political leadership is largely to blame for the country’s humanitarian crisis; and South Sudanese refugees share stories of reuniting with their families after fleeing the country.

Today’s top stories: South Sudanese refugees who fled the conflict in their country describe brutal atrocities committed by armed militia men against civilians; the governor of Yei River State plans to tighten security during holiday celebrations; and the leader of the Federal Democratic Party believes most South Sudanese politicians cannot be trusted to spearhead the national dialogue to end the political crisis in South Sudan.

Today’s top stories: The United Nations Secretary General warns South Sudan could be on the verge of genocide if actions are not taken immediately; Sudan and South Sudan extend their oil cooperation agreement; and large numbers of South Sudanese refugees overwhelm health facilities at a Ugandan settlement camp.

Today’s top stories: The head of JMEC says the surge in violence in July stalled implementation of the peace deal; a senior government official resigns because of “discrimination and genocide” taking place in South Sudan; and hundreds of South Sudanese flee their homes as fighting continues in the Greater Equatoria region.

Today’s top stories: President Salva Kiir implements a ‘shoot to kill’ order to offset the rise of criminal activity across South Sudan; the South Sudanese government plans to increase oil production in 2017; and residents in a small Ugandan village expect to reap huge benefits from the presence of South Sudanese refugees on their land.

Today’s top stories: A committee forms to establish a commission for truth, reconciliation and healing; President Kiir receives praise for his call to start a national dialogue, while a senior member of the SPLM-IO questions Kiir’s efforts to exercise freedom of speech in a nation of war; and military forces and armed groups continue to recruit child soldiers in South Sudan.

Today’s top stories: President Salva Kiir asks the people of South Sudan to forgive him for mistakes he “might have committed;” the U.N. Human Rights Council says South Sudan’s future is grim, and more needs to be done to avoid a full-scale civil war; and many patients in South Sudan reject blood donations because they fear the blood may be tainted.

Today’s top stories: The wife of former first vice-president Riek Machar urges policymakers in Washington to prevent genocide in South Sudan; local musicians and dramatists in South Sudan use their art to unite their people and spread a message of peace; and South Sudanese refugees in living Uganda complete training programs that will set them on a path towards employment and self-reliance.

Today’s top stories: Human rights activists call on the government to end ongoing fighting across South Sudan; hundreds of South Sudanese pupils living in Uganda settlement camps take their primary school exams despite tough living conditions; and a concert held in northern Uganda aims to increase awareness of gender-based violence among South Sudanese refugees.