Evening Bulletin: Surveillance Officers Meet in Yei Over Border Ebola Threat

Evening Bulletin – Thursday, 2 July 2026

Ebola Training Begins at Yei Hospital as DR Congo Cases Pass 1,300

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Ebola preparedness efforts have been intensified in Yei River County as the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo continues to report cases, health authorities confirmed on Thursday.

A preparedness pillar meeting brought together surveillance officers, risk communication and community engagement experts, and infection prevention and control teams. The meeting was convened by the County Health Department.

County Surveillance Officer Bidal Martin presented updated figures showing the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 1,307 confirmed Ebola cases, 377 deaths and 227 recoveries. Uganda has registered 20 confirmed cases, two deaths and 15 recoveries. Three patients are still receiving treatment in Uganda.

County Health Director Musoga Robert said weekly coordination meetings involving partners and county health authorities would continue. He said the meetings aim to strengthen preparedness and information sharing.

He appealed for financial support to broadcast Ebola awareness radio jingles. He said the jingles would improve public understanding of prevention and encourage early reporting of suspected cases.

The meeting was chaired by the Commissioner of Yei River County, Samuel Henry Malimbo. He said the county’s location near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo demands sustained alertness and closer coordination between humanitarian agencies and county health authorities.

The commissioner said the county appreciates the commitment shown by all partners in supporting preparedness activities.

Youth Programme Launched in Yei to Stop Gang Activity

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A programme to stop young people from joining criminal gangs is being expanded in Yei River County.

The Reproductive Health Association of South Sudan, known as RHASS, is carrying out the youth focused work on education and empowerment. Officials from the organisation met with the Commissioner of Yei River County, Samuel Henry Malimbo, on Wednesday to give details of their activities.

Commissioner Malimbo said the county administration is open to partnerships that add to the social and economic development of the area. He called on the organisation to make sure its help reaches all communities, naming Tore, Lasu, Otogo, Mugwo and Yei Town Payam as key areas.

The commissioner also praised RHASS for supporting the renovation of a building belonging to the county health department. He described the project as an important contribution to making health services stronger in the area.

Laila Apai, an officer with the organisation, said RHASS has been working in Yei since 2019. She said it has kept close cooperation with the Yei River County Health Department to carry out health programmes.

Fuel Costs Keep Morobo Classrooms Empty and Bare

(MOROBO COUNTY) – Fuel prices have disrupted efforts to rebuild schools in Morobo County, leaving many classrooms empty of furniture and pupils sitting on bare floors despite community contributions of local materials.

Schools across the county were looted or wrecked during the national crisis of 2016. Desks, chairs and other equipment were taken or destroyed. Years later, most of these buildings remain bare as local arrangements struggle to take hold against rising costs.

Morobo County lies among the counties of Central Equatoria State battered by the recent conflict. The fighting caused loss of life, forced many from their homes and left public infrastructure in ruins. Schools and health centres still lack basic services while authorities and partners work to restore them.

During an unannounced stop at Isebi Primary School in Lujule Payam, the commissioner was told by school leaders that the absence of furniture makes learning nearly impossible. Pupils continue to struggle without proper places to sit for lessons.

The head teacher also pointed to a shortage of teaching staff and low staff morale. Parents are unable to pay fees agreed upon by the Parent Teacher Association, money meant to cover administrative costs.

Governor of Central Equatoria to Visit Yei River County

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Preparations are going on for a visit by the Governor of Central Equatoria State to Yei River County, according to information from the Office of the County Commissioner.

Organisers say they are gathering resources and support to make sure the event is a success. The exact date of the visit has not yet been made public.

A reception committee has been formed to coordinate the visit of Governor Emmanuel Adil Antony, which is expected later this month. The committee says it is focused on a proper reception for the governor and his team.

Organisers have brought together representatives from different South Sudanese communities and states who live in Yei River County. They say this shows the area’s diverse population and its commitment to unity.

The reception committee is led by the SPLM County Secretary, Ale Satimon. The County Commissioner’s Office says he is overseeing coordination among all groups and community members taking part in the exercise.

Doctors Union Delivers Free Care in Gorom, Central Equatoria

(GOROM) – Free medical services were delivered to communities in Gorom during a two day outreach that ended on 26 June 2026.

The outreach was organised by the South Sudan Doctors Union together with the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health. Several patients with more serious conditions were referred to Juba Teaching Hospital for further specialised treatment.

The Chairperson of the South Sudan Doctors Union, Dr Zakariah Peter Ajak, said the team had successfully provided medical care to local residents over the two days. He thanked the Minister of Health for Central Equatoria State, Joyce Bakwa Agole, for attending the closing event.

Minister Agole visited Gorom to inspect and officially close the outreach. She brought greetings from the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, and stated that she had been delegated by him to supervise the activity.

The minister praised the Doctors Union for showing humanity and commitment in serving communities. She called for similar outreach services to be expanded to other parts of Central Equatoria State.

In a separate meeting in Juba on 1 July 2026, Minister Agole received a delegation from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to discuss strengthening partnership and collaboration on health promotion and medication support within the state.

Five More Political Parties Fully Registered for South Sudan Elections

(JUBA) – Five more political parties have been fully registered in South Sudan, bringing the total number of legally recognised parties in the country to 39.

The Political Parties Council announced the registrations on 30 June 2026. The five newly cleared parties are the IO Party, formerly known as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, the National Democratic Movement, the People’s Liberal Party, the South Sudan National Movement for Change and the Revive South Sudan Party.

The council stated that all five entities met the required legal, financial and regulatory benchmarks under the Political Parties Act after a full verification process.

In its resolutions, the council formally recognised the renaming of the SPLM in Opposition to the IO Party. The move is now recorded in the official registry to establish a distinct legal identity ahead of the coming electoral cycle.

In a related development, SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit has directed the party’s Secretary General to reorganise the ruling party in preparation for the upcoming elections.

Regional News: Tanzania Tops East Africa in African Free Trade Exports

(DAR ES SALAAM) – Tanzania has become the leading East African Community country using the African Continental Free Trade Area trading arrangement, a development that points to opportunities for South Sudan as it works towards full participation in the continental free trade agreement.

According to an analysis of AfCFTA trade performance released on 30 June, Tanzania had issued 392 Certificates of Origin by June 2025, ranking first in the East African Community and third across Africa. Tanzania’s exports traded under the AfCFTA reached 3.9 billion United States Dollars in 2024, equivalent to about 25.35 trillion South Sudanese Pounds at the current market rate of 6,500 SSP to the dollar.

South Africa ranked first on the continent by issuing 4,658 Certificates of Origin, followed by Egypt with 2,852. Within the EAC, Kenya issued 112 certificates while Rwanda issued 29. By June 2025, AfCFTA member states had issued a total of 8,563 certificates.

The figures show that EAC countries are increasingly making use of the preferential tariff arrangements available under the AfCFTA.

The findings were presented during a three day capacity building workshop for Tanzania’s private sector. The workshop was organised by the East African Business Council in collaboration with the Tanzania Private Sector Federation and supported by GIZ.