Morning Bulletin: Yei County Starts Building Youth Multipurpose Centre

It is 8:00 o’clock, welcome to Access Radio Morning News bulletin but first the headlines.

+ Yei River County Breaks Ground on Youth Facility

+ Radio Miraya Marks 20 Years of Broadcasting in South Sudan

+ UN Women Equips Journalists for Election Coverage

And now the news in detail:

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Construction of a new youth multipurpose and development centre has begun in Yei River County. The project aims to expand leadership training, skills development and peacebuilding opportunities for young people across the region.

The Yei River County Youth Association launched the project at a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday. The event brought together government officials, development partners, landlords, local chiefs and representatives of youth, women and persons with disabilities.

The Chairperson of the Youth Association, Mr Gaga Frank Justin, described the centre as a milestone investment. He said it would provide young people with opportunities for leadership, skills development, innovation, peacebuilding and socioeconomic empowerment. He thanked all partners and stakeholders for their support and called for continued collaboration to ensure the successful completion of the project.

(JUBA, CENTRAL EQUATORIA COUNTY) – Thousands gathered at Buluk Playground in Juba on Tuesday to mark 20 years of broadcasting by Radio Miraya, the United Nations backed station that has become a vital source of news and a voice for peace across South Sudan.

The celebration featured music, dancing and performances by artists including Emmanuel Kembe. Radio Miraya was established in 2006 by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

The National Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Ateny Wek Ateny, told the gathering that Radio Miraya had reached every home, cattle camp and payam in South Sudan, going where other media struggled to go. He said that for many South Sudanese, the station remained the only source of information.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Anita Kiki Gbeho, spoke about the daily work of the Radio Miraya team. She said that when the station fact checks a claim before broadcasting it, that is civilian protection.

(JUBA) – Thirty journalists from media houses across South Sudan have completed training on reporting that avoids inflaming tensions and strengthens peace as the country moves toward elections.

The two day training was convened by UN Women in partnership with the National Press Club. It focused on conflict sensitive reporting, gender responsive journalism and the role of the media in advancing peaceful elections. The sessions stressed that accurate, fair and contextual reporting is essential for credible and inclusive elections. Journalists were urged to counter misinformation, challenge harmful stereotypes, promote equal representation of women and foster dialogue that builds social cohesion.

The training was attended by Mr Patrick Oyet, President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, Ms Osman, Deputy Chairperson of the Union of Female Journalists, and Ms Hulda Otieno, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women South Sudan. UN Women said it remains committed to partnering with media institutions and journalists to advance responsible reporting that promotes peace, gender equality and inclusive democratic governance.

(JUBA) – Renovation works at Juba International Airport’s Terminal 3 building have reached an advanced stage. A high level delegation from the Office of the President inspected progress on the project.

The delegation was led by the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima, and included the Minister of Transport, Rizik Zakaria Hassan, and the Minister of Finance and Planning, Kuol Daniel Ayulo. They were received at the airport by senior officials of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority led by Director General Dr Ayiei Garang Deng Ayiei.

According to the Aviation Authority’s press release, the inspection visit formed part of the government’s continued commitment to modernising national infrastructure and ensuring efficient service delivery within the transport sector.

Speaking after the tour, Transport Minister Hassan commended the progress achieved so far and stressed the importance of completing the project within the agreed timeline and according to the required standards.

He said the renovation reflects the government’s dedication to improving public infrastructure and enhancing the experience of travellers and stakeholders.

The Minister noted that the upgraded Terminal 3 facility will contribute significantly to improving operational efficiency, safety and comfort for passengers.

(JUBA) – South Sudan’s plan to open its first space science laboratory is moving ahead, even as University of Juba students voice frustration over years of delays in constructing the wider Mayardit Academy for Space Sciences.

The academy conception was passed by the university senate in December 2022. It was promoted as a project to modernise the institution and place the country at the forefront of space science and technology in the region.

The university has since raised funds from students and external donors. The stated goal was to build not only the academy but also new lecture halls and research facilities.

Three years on, students say not much physical structure is visible on the construction site. They are demanding clearer communication on how their contributions have been used and a firm timeline for when the academy will open its doors.

(YAMBIO, WESTERN EQUATORIA STATE) – Members of the Western Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly began a three day training course on fiscal oversight on Tuesday. The course aims to strengthen how lawmakers monitor public finances and government spending.

The training is supported by the state government and the United Nations Development Programme, known as UNDP. It is designed to build the capacity of parliamentarians to carry out effective oversight of state finances, budgeting processes and public expenditure.

Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa officially opened the workshop. He said the training would give lawmakers the knowledge and tools they need to perform their oversight duties well.

He said parliamentarians are the voice and representatives of the people and that UNDP is equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to conduct oversight of government resources and the budget.

He noted that parliamentary oversight goes beyond simply watching over public money and includes making sure there is accountability in all government activities. The governor said that strengthening public financial management is a top concern for Western Equatoria State.

In Regional News

(NAIROBI, KENYA) – A three judge High Court bench has ordered President William Ruto to reconstitute his Cabinet within 120 days after finding that its current makeup violates the constitutional requirement that no more than two thirds of members be of the same gender.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, upheld nearly every other aspect of the President’s contested 2024 Cabinet reshuffle, including the reappointment of ministers he had earlier dismissed and the inclusion of opposition politicians in what he called a broad based government. Justices Eric Ogola and Stephen Githinji formed the majority opinion. Justice Jairus Ngaah dissented on two central points.

The court declared that Article 27(8) of the Constitution is immediate, mandatory and fully enforceable in relation to appointive public bodies and cannot be treated as something to be achieved over time.

The court stated that the current Cabinet does not comply with Article 27(8) of the Constitution because more than two thirds of its members are of the same gender. The judgment partly granted petitions filed by governance activist Wanjiru Gikonyo, the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Katiba Institute.

These petitions challenged appointments made after the President dissolved his entire Cabinet on 11 July 2024 in the wake of nationwide anti-government protests.