The Daily Update: Morning Brief, Wednesday 29th April 2026 – Parliament Drops Peace Deal Amendment Debate, Market Fire Destroys Shops in Konyo Konyo

(JUBA) – South Sudan’s parliament has dropped a planned debate on amendments to the 2018 peace agreement, while a fire in Juba’s main market has destroyed shops, as the country faces a mix of political, security and humanitarian pressures.

Lawmakers on Tuesday said the debate was cancelled for technical reasons. The proposed amendments, approved by the cabinet on April 17, were intended to support preparations for elections expected by December 2026. The bill had been sent to parliament without passing through the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, which oversees the peace process.

In a separate development, a fire broke out at Konyokonyo market in Juba, destroying goods in several shops, mainly those selling mobile phones. City Mayor Christopher Sarafino Wani said the blaze affected the northern section of the market on Tuesday morning. Authorities said the cause of the fire is not yet known and investigations are under way.

Elsewhere, authorities in Yei River County have declared a public day of mourning after a plane crash in the Luri area killed 14 people travelling to Juba. The aircraft, operated by Citylink Aviation, went down early on Monday and all those on board, including the pilot, died. The victims included county officials on duty, among them the public prosecutor identified as Charles, as well as a Kenyan national.

Security concerns have also increased after four people, including a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces serviceman, were killed in an ambush along the Kaya road while travelling to Yei. Local authorities said the victims included Captain Ladu Isaac and three civilians. The attack has raised fears about the safety of travellers using the route.

Yei River County Commissioner Henry Samuel Malimbo has called on holdout armed groups to return to dialogue, urging those still fighting to abandon violence and seek peaceful solutions to the conflict affecting the area and wider South Sudan.

Food insecurity is worsening, with at least seven counties at risk of famine if urgent assistance is not delivered. A report covering April to July 2026 highlights counties in Jonglei and Upper Nile states, including Akobo, Nyirol, Nasir and Ulang, among those most at risk.

Efforts to ease local tensions are under way, with the Central Equatoria State government sending a joint committee to Rokon to mediate cattle related violence involving communities from Terekeka County and parts of Western Equatoria. The committee aims to reduce tensions and promote peaceful coexistence.

In regional developments, authorities said foreign nationals recently arrested for operating illegally and suspected subversive activities will undergo a screening process lasting about seven days. Officials said the exercise will involve security agencies including the Internal Security Organization and the Defence Intelligence and Security.