South Sudan In Focus - VOA Africa

Today’s top stories: The head of the South Sudan Army dismisses a warning by the U.S. Institute of Peace that South Sudan is on the brink of genocide; a new report reveals over twelve million people in twenty-one African countries were displaced last year, with figures this year not expected to improve; and disabled Imatong State residents say the economic crisis has made them more vulnerable to poverty.

Today’s top stories: A panel of experts in Washington discuss the prevention of further deterioration in South Sudan following the collapse of the 2015 peace deal; environmental leaders warn climate change is taking a severe toll on Sudan’s natural resources; and foreign civil servants provide support to employees in South Sudan who face many challenges, including not getting paid on time.

Today’s top stories: Local leaders in Yei River State say unknown gunmen have abducted the Commissioner of Kangapo County; a top African Union official calls on South Sudan’s government to punish solders accused of sexually assaulting women; and the effect of the economic crisis on people living with disabilities in Imatong State.

Today’s top stories: A U.S. State Department spokesman says sexual violence is becoming more widespread in South Sudan; a young South Sudanese woman abandons her studies to rescue hundreds of people trapped in her village in Yei River County; and an Imatong State health facility that offers free treatment to tuberculosis patients runs out of the chemicals used to test for the disease.

Today's top stories: A top South Sudan government official is denying unconfirmed reports that South Africa’s president tried to arrange a meeting between President Salva Kiir and former First Vice President Riek Machar; Women’s rights activist in Imatong State say they are using this year’s U.N. backed 16 Days of Activism campaign to advocate for the appointment of more women to local government positions where they can influence decisions and policies.

Today’s top stories: The South Sudan army denies reports that the government has recruited thousands of militia fighters to attack civilians in Central Equatoria State; U.N. officials say aid workers are not able to reach millions of displaced South Sudanese; and an agricultural training center reopens in Imotong State and develops the skills of local farmers.

Today’s top stories: The head of the U.N. Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan warns that ethnic cleansing in the region could usher in a repeat of the Rwandan genocide; health officials say new HIV/AIDS cases in South Sudan has brought the total number of people living with the disease to more than two hundred thousand; and a new series looks at the negative effects of hate speech within various South Sudanese communities.

Today’s top stories: President Salva Kiir is expected to meet with President Jacob Zuma to discuss progress made in the implementation of the August peace deal; the South Sudan government plans to increase the collection of non-oil revenues in an effort to reinvigorate the economy; and the U.N. mission in South Sudan donates mosquito nets, bed covers and blankets to a Torit hospital to help fight the spread of malaria.

Today’s top stories: The chairman of the Federal Democratic Party says the 2015 peace deal has collapsed and another forum for negotiating power struggles in South Sudan needs to be created; UNICEF says six new measles cases have been confirmed in the past week; and the Diaspora Affairs Ambassador for the South Sudan Embassy recalls Fidel Castro’s role in South Sudan’s fight for independence.

Today’s top stories: A legal expert on South Sudan warns the recent move by Ethiopia and Sudan to block Riek Machar from traveling from their country to South Sudan will fuel the ongoing conflict; Sudan’s Information Minister reacts to news that the SPLM-North has agreed to end the recruitment of child soldiers; and South Sudanese students in Uganda play soccer to unite young people from various ethnic communities.