Audio Brief: UN Mission Funds Youth Centre Construction in Yei County

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Construction of a new youth centre will begin Tuesday in Yei town, funded by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan at a cost of 50,000 US dollars, roughly 350 million South Sudanese pounds.

The Chairperson of the Yei River County Youth Association, Gaga Frank Justine, told Access Radio the multipurpose facility will be built in the Guafa area behind the county commissioner’s office. It will house an office block, sanitation facilities, and a training hall fitted with computers, internet, and solar power.

Justine said the centre will tackle unemployment and skills shortages by offering computer literacy, leadership training, and entrepreneurship programmes. Cultural activities, sports, peacebuilding, and creative innovation will also be supported. The hall will hold more than 500 people and construction is expected to finish within six months.

The project is being implemented by the national organisation Support for Peace and Development Program. Justine said young people from all ten states and three administrative areas of South Sudan will benefit, not only those in Yei River County. He called on youth to take part in peaceful and productive activities that build unity.

A ban on harmful drugs and illicit spirits in Yei town has drawn support from a local civil society network. The Yei Civil Society Forum said the county government move targets tramadol and a locally produced alcohol known as Mohaba gin.

Modi Arkangelo, speaking for the group on Monday, said consumption of these substances has caused school dropouts and a rise in crime. Arkangelo urged county authorities to enforce stricter controls on supply and distribution, warning that without steady implementation the banned products could return.

The ban was announced last Friday. Yei River County Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo stated that confiscated items, including expired medicines, illegal spirits and prohibited drugs, were destroyed in public. Journalists were invited to witness the disposal to guarantee openness. The county administration has pledged to increase inspections and enforcement to protect public health.

A deaf resident of Yei River County has received a new bicycle from the county commissioner in what officials called a move toward greater inclusion of persons with disabilities. Martin Lomoro Emmanuel, who has had a hearing impairment since birth, was given the bicycle at a ceremony on 29 June 2026.

Through sign language, he thanked the county administration and said it was the first time in his life he had received such help. He said the bicycle will ease his movement and allow him to carry out daily tasks more independently.

Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo said the donation reflects the county’s commitment to supporting vulnerable community members and promoting their participation in social and economic life.

Construction materials have reached the long awaited Kanjoro Bridge site in Yei River County, with work set to begin once remaining deliveries arrive. County authorities reported that six truckloads of river sand, six trips of aggregates, and several loads of hardcore stones are already on site. Eight more truckloads of materials are still to come.

Point Investment Engineering Company donated more than 100 bags of cement to help start construction. Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo visited the site on 29 June 2026 together with the State Revenue Director for Yei, Chandiga, and Access Radio Station Chief Johnson Poru Hillary. They inspected preparations and available materials.

A high level government team has arrived in Rokon to reduce inter-communal tensions between the Mundari and Moru communities after a cattle recovery mission in Dolo Payam last week. The delegation is led by the Co-Chair Security Advisor of Central Equatoria State and the Commissioner of Terekeka County.

The violence began when cattle were stolen from the Moru community in Western Equatoria. Armed youth then carried out counter-raids. On 26 June the same delegation travelled to Dolo Payam to secure the return of animals belonging to both the Muru community of Western Equatoria State and the Mundari community of Central Equatoria State, following an earlier peace agreement.

Six new customs posts will open at border crossing points in Western Equatoria State. Assistant Commissioner of Customs for the state, Col. Juma M. Adams, announced the plan after meeting Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa on Monday. The stations will be located at Gangura, Nabiapai, Sakure, Ezo, Tambura and Iba.

Col. Adams said the expansion aims to strengthen trade control and increase state revenue. He said discussions with the governor covered trade facilitation, border protection, and cooperation with the state government. Governor Rimbasa gave his full backing and said his administration is committed to supporting customs work and managing taxes with openness.

The European Union has allocated 1.5 million euros to fund reproductive health and gender based violence services for vulnerable women and girls in South Sudan. About 350,000 people in Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile and Western Equatoria states are expected to benefit.

The United Nations Population Fund will manage the money, supplying emergency kits and dignity kits to health facilities and centres that assist survivors of gender based violence. UNFPA South Sudan said conflict, displacement, flooding and disease continue to disrupt basic health services. The project runs through September 2027 and will focus on expanding lifesaving care in the most vulnerable areas.