Juba and Addis Ababa agree to a tripartite investigation into the killing of two UN peacekeepers in Jonglei State.
South Sudan and Ethiopia will jointly investigate the recent killing of two Ethiopian UN peacekeepers in Jonglei State, following a diplomatic meeting in Juba. The agreement aims to reinforce border security and regional stability. Presidential Security Advisor Tut Gatluak Manimeh and Ethiopian Ambassador Delil Kadir Bushra discussed deepening bilateral ties, including cross-border security, trade, and economic development. Ambassador Bushra stated that both governments will establish joint mechanisms to curb cross-border criminal elements destabilizing the shared frontier.
The investigation into the attack on peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will be a coordinated tripartite inquiry involving the South Sudanese government, the UNMISS, and the Ethiopian government. The envoy confirmed that official condolences were received from the South Sudanese leadership. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Anita Kiki Gbeho, reaffirmed UNMISS's commitment to a thorough investigation and paid tribute to the fallen Ethiopian peacekeepers.
Two Ethiopian peacekeepers were killed and seven others injured when an integrated UNMISS patrol came under fire from unidentified armed assailants in Jonglei State. UNMISS has condemned the ambush, noting that attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. Both delegations affirmed that continuous bilateral engagements will proceed to protect common national interests, secure the shared border corridor, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Why it mattersThe joint investigation into the killing of UN peacekeepers affects South Sudan and Ethiopia by aiming to bring perpetrators to justice and enhance border security.
Read in ASJ →The UN Commission on Human Rights will visit South Sudan from September 7 to 10 to assess the evolving human rights, humanitarian, political, and security situation.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is set to conduct its fourteenth visit to the country from September 7 to 10, 2026. This mission occurs as South Sudan grapples with resurgent armed conflict, escalating political tensions, and increasing risks to civilians and the peace process. The visit aims to evaluate the impact of renewed hostilities, displacement, and the continued erosion of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Led by Chairperson Yasmin Sooka, alongside Commissioners Barney Afako and Carlos Castresana Fernández, the delegation will engage with a wide array of stakeholders. These include government officials, political and security actors, civil society representatives, victims, humanitarian partners, and legal professionals. The commissioners will gather firsthand information from affected communities to inform their reporting to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The commission, an independent body established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2016, will also examine developments pertinent to the nation's political transition and the conditions required for a credible democratic process, as South Sudan moves towards its first national elections since independence. Preliminary observations and conclusions will be presented at a press conference in Juba on September 10, 2026.
Why it mattersThe UN Commission on Human Rights' visit will assess the human rights situation, including the impact of conflict and displacement, affecting civilians and the peace process.
Read in ASJ →An early morning raid on a military post in Warrap State resulted in the deaths of soldiers and civilians, with the motive still under investigation.
At least 26 people, including 10 soldiers, six police officers, and four civilians, were killed and eight others wounded in an attack on a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) barracks in Acong-cong, Warrap State. The state government reported that the assault occurred around 5 a.m. and targeted the military installation, which was established to maintain order between the Marial Wau and Apuk Gii communities. Among the civilian casualties was an 11-year-old boy.
Six attackers were also reported killed during the incident, and eight individuals, including a woman, sustained injuries. The Warrap State Ministry of Information and Communication Services stated that the motive for attacking the military facility remains unknown and will be determined through ongoing investigations. Authorities have directed security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The Warrap State government, led by Governor Bol Wek Agoth, extended condolences to the families of the deceased, acknowledging the sacrifice of security personnel in their duty to protect civilians. The government affirmed its commitment to maintaining peace, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
Why it mattersCivilians and security personnel were killed and wounded during an armed attack on a military barracks in Warrap State.
Read in ASJ →The Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative has selected 650 students in South Sudan for 2026, exceeding the total number of beneficiaries from 2016 to 2025.
The DAFI scholarship program in South Sudan has selected 650 new students for 2026, a figure that surpasses the total number of beneficiaries supported over the previous nine years combined. This year's intake includes refugees, returnees, and for the first time, students from host communities. The program, implemented by the Lutheran World Federation in partnership with UNHCR, aims to build human capital and foster peaceful coexistence.
Officials announced the record intake at an onboarding ceremony in Juba on Friday. Kenyi Beneth Emmanuel, Education Project Manager at the Lutheran World Federation, stated that the 2026 cohort of 650 students exceeds the 414 beneficiaries supported between 2016 and 2025. The expansion to include host community students fulfills a longstanding request from the government, acknowledging the similar needs of refugees, returnees, and local populations.
The 2026 scholarship cycle received approximately 1,400 applications, with the selected students to pursue courses up to four years long at recognized South Sudanese institutions. Priority is given to fields like education, social work, and medical studies to enhance employment prospects. UNHCR Protection Officer Tabasum Noor Jamal emphasized that the scholarship is a partnership requiring academic commitment, intended to provide lasting protection and support sustainable solutions for displaced communities.
Why it mattersThe DAFI scholarship program's record intake of 650 students, including those from host communities, will provide educational opportunities and financial support to young people in South Sudan.
Read in ASJ →The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism is urging lawmakers to embed wildlife protection laws into the nation's upcoming land policy.
South Sudan’s Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism has formally requested the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to integrate wildlife protection laws into the country’s pending land policy and related legislation. The plea was made by the ministry’s Land Use Planning Committee during a meeting with the parliamentary wildlife committee and representatives from African Parks. The committee stressed that protected areas, wildlife corridors, and buffer zones require land policies that clearly recognize their status and management needs.
The ministry’s Land Use Planning Committee Secretary General, Bennet Bojo Nicholas, stated that parliament should advocate for the incorporation of the Wildlife Conservation and Protected Areas Act into the forthcoming Land Policy. He also called for improved coordination among government bodies involved in mining, infrastructure, agriculture, and land development, especially where their activities impact protected areas and surrounding communities. The committee, established in March, aims to strengthen land-use planning and protected-area governance.
Martin Ring Malek, deputy chairperson of the ministry’s Land Use Committee, highlighted the importance of identifying land designated for wildlife to protect animals and support the national economy. He noted that community encroachment into protected areas creates challenges and called for closer cooperation. Parliamentary committee chairperson Wilson Lodiong advocated for broader consultations, including a workshop with relevant ministries and stakeholders, to clarify responsibilities and improve coordination with communities near major wildlife areas.
Why it mattersThe Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism is affected because its ability to protect wildlife and manage land designated for conservation depends on the integration of its laws into the national land policy.
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