(MORNING BULLETIN / Monday 12th Oct, 2026) – A civil society activist is urging South Sudanese voters to elect leaders committed to delivering essential services as the country prepares for the December elections.
Speaking to Access Radio on Sunday, Justoson Victor Yoasa, Executive Director of a local national NGO called YAMORA, said citizens should put first leaders who can address long-standing challenges affecting communities across the country.
Yoasa noted that many areas continue to face poor road networks, broken bridges and limited access to clean water.
He said future leaders must focus on improving service delivery.
The civil society leader also encouraged voters to assess the performance of previous leaders, reject manipulation and use the elections as an opportunity to elect leaders of their choice.
Yoasa further called on women, young people and persons with disabilities to take an active part in the electoral process.
He said they can do so through political parties or as independent candidates.
South Sudan is expected to hold elections in December, with civic groups continuing to encourage greater citizen participation and informed voting.
Two arrested over killing of student in Yei River County
Police in Yei River County have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old student from Excel International School.
The victim, Martin Wani, a resident of Hai Delib, about four kilometres north of Yei Town, was reportedly attacked by unknown armed men at around 7:00 p.m. on 30th September while returning home from town.
According to police reports, the assailants robbed him of his mobile phone before shooting him in the back.
He was rushed to Yei Civil Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Yei River County Chief Inspector of Police Major General Yoasa Lujang Kamba confirmed that two suspects have been arrested and are currently under investigation.
Meanwhile, Modi Arkangelo, Head of the Yei Civil Society Forum, welcomed the arrests.
He called on authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and prosecution of anyone found responsible.
The killing sparked concern among residents, who have urged security authorities to strengthen protection for civilians and their property across Yei River County.
New Morobo Commissioner installed, calls for unity and development
The newly appointed Caretaker Commissioner of Morobo County, Moro Isaac Johnson Lupai, has been officially installed.
He has pledged to promote unity, peace and development in the county.
Isaac was installed on Saturday by Central Equatoria State’s Caretaker Minister of Local Government, Naphtali Hassan Gale.
The ceremony was attended by hundreds of residents and supporters at the Morobo County Headquarters.
The appointment comes following the dissolution of the Revitalized Transitional Government on 22nd September 2026.
Isaac, who was appointed on 1st October, takes over leadership at a critical time as the country prepares for anticipated national elections in December.
Speaking during the event, Minister Naphtali urged residents to support their leaders and work together for the progress of the county.
He encouraged community members to engage local elders and leaders when addressing governance concerns rather than resorting to blame.
In his inaugural address, Commissioner Isaac called for love, unity and cooperation among the people of Morobo as a foundation for rebuilding the county.
He also stressed the importance of protecting children’s welfare and supporting education.
He described young people as the future leaders of South Sudan.
The new commissioner pledged to listen to community concerns and work closely with traditional leaders, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
He said this would help strengthen peace and stability across Morobo County.
Ambororo herders top UNMISS, Lainya County discussions
A delegation from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has paid a courtesy visit to the Caretaker Commissioner of Lainya County, Laku Micah Wani.
The delegation met the commissioner at his office on Saturday, 10th October 2026.
It congratulated him on his recent appointment and discussed the security situation in the county.
The team was led by Nyuyen Huy Hoang.
It sought updates on the prevailing security situation in Lainya County and on relations between civilians and the military.
The delegation also asked about the presence of Ambororo cattle keepers within the county’s territory.
It further discussed possible areas of intervention to strengthen peacebuilding efforts.
In his remarks, Laku Micah Wani thanked the UNMISS team for the visit.
He also thanked the team for its continued interest in the peace and stability of Lainya County.
The Caretaker Commissioner described the security situation in the county as relatively calm.
He noted that no major security incidents had been reported at the time of the meeting.
He acknowledged the presence of Ambororo cattle keepers in areas outside Lainya town.
He added that the county’s security forces were working to address the situation and help the herders leave the county.
UNMISS has previously worked with Lainya authorities on cattle migration issues.
It has supported dialogue between herders and farming communities to prevent clashes over crops and grazing land.
Youth Ministry gets ICT boost from UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme in South Sudan has handed over information and communications technology and filming equipment to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The support was provided through the Youth Enterprise Development and Capacity Building Project, funded by the African Development Bank Group.
The project, known as YEDCB, is implemented by UNDP and aims to boost employability and job creation for South Sudanese youth aged 18 to 35.
It works by strengthening private sector capacity, building entrepreneurial skills and creating a more supportive business environment.
The equipment handed over will strengthen the ministry’s capacity to deliver services, support private sector growth and improve documentation.
According to the African Development Bank, the YEDCB project has disbursed 4.54 billion South Sudanese pounds, about 2.61 million US Dollars, across states in South Sudan.
A total of 1,247 youth and women-led micro and small enterprises have accessed interest-free loans through the project.
One beneficiary, Cecelia Anei, 28, received an interest-free loan of 3.5 million South Sudanese pounds, about 3,317 US Dollars, after conflict forced her from her home in Malakal in 2023.
She used the funds to revive her vegetable selling business in 2024.
She now employs two workers and has repaid 38 per cent of the loan.
Another beneficiary, the Betty Events Women Group Village Savings and Credit Cooperative Society in Juba, received an interest-free loan of about 5 million South Sudanese pounds, about 5,102 US Dollars.
The cooperative, which began in 2019 with 40 entrepreneurs, now employs 23 workers.
It sells honey, shea butter, natural oils and okra powder locally, regionally and internationally.
In addition to the equipment handover, government officials from various ministries received training in basic ICT skills, project management, and leadership and management.
The training is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving public service delivery.
South Sudan breaks ground on regional cargo centre in Kenya
South Sudan has broken ground on its logistics hub at the Mai Mahiu Special Economic Zone in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
It marks the first such facility by any of the five regional countries allocated land by Kenya.
The hub will serve as an alternative cargo clearance centre for South Sudan’s growing import and export volumes.
It is expected to ease congestion at the Port of Mombasa.
Cargo handling at the port is projected to rise from the current 15 million metric tonnes annually to 40 million metric tonnes within five years.
South Sudan received 10 hectares, about 25 acres, within the 6,000-acre zone for customs clearance, storage and cargo consolidation.
The first containers under the new arrangement are expected to move by rail from Mombasa to Naivasha for clearance before onward transport to South Sudan.
The project could improve the movement of more than 1.5 million tonnes of South Sudan-bound cargo handled through Mombasa each year.
South Sudan’s Undersecretary for Transport, Paul Dhel Gum, said the zone would serve as a key economic gateway.
He said it would boost regional trade, improve imports and exports, and benefit traders.
Mr Gum added that Juba was also seeking additional land within the special economic zones in Mombasa, Malaba and Busia.
He said this would ease cargo handling and evacuation from the Port of Mombasa.
He described the move as part of plans to improve the seamless movement of goods, boost cargo-handling efficiency and ensure timely transport.
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development Geoffrey Ruku, who represented the Transport Cabinet Secretary, said the Kenyan government would fully support operations at the zone to boost regional trade.
Mourners killed by Kenya police at ex-PM’s national farewell not part of violence, BBC finds
Three mourners killed when Kenyan police opened fire at a national farewell for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were not involved in a clash that sparked gunfire, a BBC Africa Eye investigation has found.
During an event held last October for people to pay their respects to Odinga, three people were shot dead after mourners attempted to gain access to the VIP section of Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium by force.
BBC analysis from inside the stadium shows the victims were each between at least 60 metres and 160 metres from the scuffles.
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen told the BBC that the police action had been restrained after the crowd started throwing stones.
In footage analysed by the BBC, it is clear that objects, including plastic chairs, are thrown, but we have no evidence that they included stones.
The BBC went through more than 1,500 images and videos to establish the location of those killed in the stadium on 16th October 2025, and also spoke to some of their relatives.
Forensic analysis by the BBC suggests an elite police unit responsible for protecting the president may have fired the fatal shots.
Kenya’s longest serving opposition leader and former prime minister died the previous day while receiving medical treatment in India.
He was one of the country’s most influential political figures.
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