Morning Audio Briefing: Thur, June 04, 2026 – South Sudan Tightens Border Checks as Ebola Threat Grows

(JUBA) – South Sudan has ordered tighter health checks at all entry points after neighbouring countries reported Ebola outbreaks.

President Salva Kiir directed health and security agencies on Wednesday to strengthen border surveillance, screening and emergency preparedness. The move follows a briefing on national readiness by the National Public Health Institute. Travellers will face stricter monitoring and anyone suspected of carrying the virus will be barred from entering the country.

The presidency quoted Kiir as telling officials that the health of South Sudanese people is now in their hands and they must do everything possible to keep the population safe. Health Minister Luke Thompson said he recently joined a regional coordination meeting in Kampala for frontline countries at risk of Ebola.

In Juba, 30 traditional chiefs and women leaders started a three day training session on gender based violence laws at Palm Africa Hotel. The workshop, organised by Global Voices Organisation South Sudan, involves 21 chiefs and nine women leaders. Sessions focus on constitutional protections for women, including the right to acquire, control and own land, as well as how to refer survivors to support services.

Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony has been invited to attend a leadership handover ceremony for the Kajo Keji Youth Association in Juba on 20 June 2026. A youth delegation introduced the new coordinator Loku Emmanuel Ben. Adil congratulated him and described young people as central to social, economic and political progress. He urged youth to back the government as the country prepares for national elections.

A Chinese technical team has arrived in Juba for a 20 day assessment linked to a proposed smart city project. The interior ministry said the team will survey about 50 locations including government buildings, main roads and strategic sites. The findings will feed into an implementation plan focused on security and urban management ahead of December elections. Interior Minister Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu met the delegation led by Counselor Zhang Zhaolong for talks on infrastructure and modern security technology.

The Directorate of Civil Registry and Immigration is deploying staff to Egypt to set up an online passport processing system for South Sudanese in Cairo. Director General Maj. Gen. Elia Kosta announced the plan while receiving 105,000 nationality cards and 3,600 passport booklets in Juba. The new system will link applications from Cairo directly to the Juba immigration database, cutting delays for citizens seeking documents abroad.