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Fall Armyworm outbreak in South Sudan

July 19, 2017
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 |  News

Fall Armyworm outbreak in South Sudan The newest and most destructive pest in Africa reaches nearly all parts of the country By Daniel Deng Bol 18 July 2017, Juba – According to the press release issued by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) early this week, an outbreak of fall armyworm has been reported by the Government of South Sudan in the Equatoria region including Magwi, Yei and Juba, Northern Bahr el Gazal and parts of Jonglei area. Fall armyworm is a new pest in Africa, preferring maize plants, but feeds on sorghum, millet, vegetables and other crops as well. As maize and sorghum are staple foods in the country, the infestation is putting an increasing number of people at risk of hunger. “It is nearly impossible to eliminate this pest from South Sudan – now that it is here, it will stay. Following its initial detection in […]

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South Sudan debt level stands at 60 percent of GDP – Finance minister

July 16, 2017
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 |  Economy, General, News, Society
Finance and Economic Planning minister Hon. Stephen Dhieu Dau speaking to the press. (FIle Photo)

By  Daniel  Deng Bol South Sudan  debt level could  be expected to rise to around sixty percent of Gross Domestic  Product (GDP), a trend that has prompted the  government  to propose a lean 2017/2018  budget  limiting borrowing from the World Bank  and other sources  to two  billion, one hundred  and seventy million(2,172 million). The total outstanding debt is provisionally estimated at fifty-four billion, seven hundred and sixty-seven million Pounds (54,767 million). This includes two million, two hundred and twelve million Pounds (2,212 million) of borrowing from commercial banks, and nineteen billion, nine hundred and seventy million pounds (SSP 19,970 Million) of direct borrowing from   Bank of South Sudan. It also includes an outstanding recapitalizing claim to   the Bank of South Sudan of two billion, one hundred and sixty-five million (SSP 2,165 Million). The figure also includes outstanding oil advances equivalent to eighteen billion, two hundred and eighty- nine million Pounds (18,289 million) and external loans to the World Bank and china of Fourteen billion, two hundred and ninety-six million Pounds (SSP 14,296 million. The outstanding debt […]

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South Sudan humanitarian needs remain dire despite IPC report – Plan International

June 27, 2017
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 |  General, News, Society
Plan International Director of International Programmes, Mr. Jonathan Mitchell, during a press briefing in Juba

By Daniel Deng Bol Plan International has said the humanitarian needs in South Sudan have remained extremely higher despite recent findings of the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) data which highlight that early warning and the mobilization of a large-scale, multi-sectoral humanitarian response have eased famine in some part of the country. Addressing journalists Monday in Juba during a press conference, Plan International Director of International Programmes, Mr. Jonathan Mitchell, urged the international community and humanitarian actors not to sit back as the number of people who are food insecure have risen from 5.5 million to 6 million, 45,000 people are still experiencing localized famine conditions, and 1.7 million others are one-step below famine. While welcoming the UN-backed food security report, he said: “There is every reason to celebrate humanitarian efforts that have led to a reduction in the number of people living in famine conditions in South Sudan, the country is […]

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UN coordinator hails aid workers for delivering life-saving services in famine-affected areas

June 22, 2017
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UN Humanitarian Coordinator Eugene during a press briefing (Photo Credit: UNMISS)

By Daniel Deng Bol The Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Eugene Owusu, today in Juba hailed the humanitarian community for the rapid scale-up of humanitarian response in famine-affected and risky areas in the former Unity State including Leer, Mayendit, Koch and Panyinjiar, reaching more than 320,000. “I applaud the humanitarian community for the rapid scale-up of humanitarian response in famine-affected and at-risk areas in Unity,” said Mr. Owusu. “We deployed teams to dangerous and difficult locations and faced many challenges along the way, including clashes which forced us to relocate aid workers and delay distributions. But we were not dissuaded, and our collective efforts ultimately prevented the catastrophe from escalating.” According to the press release issued today, he welcomed the findings of the latest Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) data which highlights that early warning and the mobilization of a large-scale, multi-sectoral humanitarian response, have eased famine in Leer and Mayendit […]

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South Sudan famine ebbs, but situation still desperate as hunger spreads

June 21, 2017
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 |  News, Society
People in conflict-affected areas collect food from WFP. Photo credit - AfricaNews

More than 6 million people now facing hunger driven largely by conflict By Daniel Deng Bol According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update by the government, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, UN children’s fund, the World Food Programme, and other humanitarian partners, the accepted technical definition of famine no longer applies in former Unity State’s Leer and Mayandit counties where famine was declared in February. In two other counties deemed high risk in February – Koch and Panyijiar – immediate and sustained humanitarian assistance most likely played a significant role in preventing further deterioration into famine. Famine has eased in South Sudan after a significant scale up in the humanitarian response, according to new analysis released today. However, the situation remains dire across the country as the number of people struggling to find enough food each day has grown to 6 million – up from 4.9 […]

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JMEC, UNESCO organize media training to enhance journalists’ understanding on peace agreement

June 20, 2017
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 |  Media, News, Society
Journalists attending the IGAD training workshop (Photo credit: Gurtong). Many workshops are organized in effort to improve media.

By Daniel Deng Bol The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission(JMEC) in collaboration with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have organized a two-day workshop starting Monday in the South Sudanese capital Juba on Monday to enhance the understanding of the media on the provisions of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. On his opening remarks, JMEC Chief of Staff Amb. Berhanu Kebede said: ” the media today is playing an outstanding role in creating and shaping public opinion and strengthening the political, economic and social basis of any given society. As a fourth pillar of democracy along with the judiciary, executive and legislature, the media today have an all-embracing role to act against injustice and continuously inform citizens of the changes taking place in the respective society”. Amb. Kebede said the workshop is both timely and of great importance […]

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5,000 SPLA-IO soldiers join peace in Yei

June 8, 2017
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 |  News
Representatives of the Yei government and the opposition group during the signing of the peace deal in Kampala on May 31, 2017. (Radio Tamazuj)


By Atem John At least five thousand soldiers from Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army-In Opposition( SPLA-IO) loyal to Dr. Riek Machar’s faction in Yei River State  have joined the peace process and are ready for reorganization and reintegration following the Kampala peace accord brokered by church leaders. According to national information minister Michael Makuei Lueth, the peace accord was signed Sunday last week by Brig. Gen. Hillary Edson Yakani, on behalf of Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA IO), and Maj. Gen. Marshal Babanen who signed on behalf of the government. Minister Makuei told the press in a briefing, after an extra-ordinary council of ministers meeting on Wednesday that the forces have started assembling in transit camps were they would be moved to assembly points for reorganization and reintegration into the national army. He said the cabinet has given the church a green-light to continue in pursuit of peace in Yei River […]

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South Sudan showcases its domestic products

June 7, 2017
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 |  News
A banner displays "Made in South Sudan Exhibition" outside Nyakuron Cultural Centre

By Atem John In the first ever exhibition, the government of South Sudan in conjunction with United Nations Development Fund (UNDF), including members of the country’s private sectors on Tuesday opened a four-day exhibition aimed at showcasing its production skills and home-made or manufactured products. The exhibition aims at  unveiling opportunities available in the country for both domestic and foreign businesses in order to salvage a plummeting economy and encourage growth. About 200 business companies, among them local manufacturers, showcase varieties of locally made products which include bottled water, alcohol, juice, honey and food snacks, shea butter and cosmetics, iron sheets, detergents and liquid soaps, mattresses, and furniture. The event was attended by business community, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and UN agencies. Speaking at the event, trade minister Dr. Moses Hassen said most of the country’s resources  such as gold, timber, skin, hide, gum Africa, coffee […]

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An Anti-Nepotism Legislation Could Combat Corruption

May 29, 2017
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 |  Debates, General, News, Opinions, Society
President Kiir at the inauguration of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly in 2016.

  An appeal to law-makers to introduce anti-nepotism legislation By Daniel Deng Bol As the country faces the prospect of sliding from recession into slump, coupled with audacious corruption, law-makers in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly should introduce a legislation to prevent nepotism in government appointments. If an anti-nepotism law were adapted and passed into law by the August House it would prohibit any public official from hiring family members to an agency or office which he or she should not have led. This has proven to curb corruption in most of the developed countries. The United States and many other countries, for instance, are typical examples. By definition, nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives, and it is considered as one of the fundamental factors which breeds corruption. Leaders should hire and fire people based on public interest, but instead our leaders now hire and fire at will. Try to picture […]

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