The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that renewed violence, political tensions, shrinking civic space, entrenched corruption and persistent impunity continue to put the population and the planned transition to democracy at risk. 

During the four-day visit, the Commission met a wide range of representatives from the Government, the political and security sectors, civil society and other stakeholders. 

They called for the authorities to take urgent steps to protect civilians, allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need and create conditions for inclusive political dialogue ahead of elections scheduled for December. 

No real change 

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country having gained independence from Sudan in July 2011. Civil war erupted less than three years later, triggered by the power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar. Fighting continues despite a 2018 peace agreement. 

The Commission Chair, Yasmin Sooka, travelled to Jonglei state and met survivors of recent fighting in the north there. 

She heard harrowing accounts of sexual violence, killings, displacement and separation from family members. Some survivors also described being left without access to medical, psychosocial or other essential support, including those facing serious and urgent health needs. 

“Visit after visit, we continue to hear from people who bear the consequences of violence, displacement, insecurity and the failures of those with political and security responsibilities to prevent and address those harms,” she said. 

“The patterns have changed little, while the human cost continues to grow. South Sudanese people deserve better than to have their lives shaped by recurring cycles of violence and uncertainty.” 

Humanitarian concerns mount 

The Commission voiced concern over killings, displacement, civilian attacks, disruption of humanitarian operations and growing insecurity for aid workers. 

Members noted that at a time of immense humanitarian needs, amid ongoing funding shortfalls, support for humanitarian operations and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is critical. 

They expressed alarm over a recent attack on an UNMISS patrol in Jonglei which killed two peacekeepers and left others injured, calling for an investigation and for those responsible to be held to account.  

Peace and ‘credible polls’ 

The visit comes at a pivotal moment as South Sudan gears up for planned elections – the first since independence.  

The Commission recently warned that elections without essential safeguards, including genuine inclusive political dialogue, could spark renewed conflict and increase the risk of atrocity crimes. 

Commissioner Barney Afako said that while implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement has stalled, it remains essential for a democratic and peaceful South Sudan. 

“Even as the country heads for elections, political and civic space has narrowed, while many of the safeguards and conditions for peaceful and credible polls are still missing,” he said. 

“South Sudanese do have a right to vote; that right must be protected by ensuring they can participate freely, compete fairly, and resolve any electoral disputes through credible adjudication. These are the safeguards that will prevent an election from becoming a trigger for violence and disruption.” 

The Commission again called for genuine and inclusive political dialogue. This includes with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by Mr. Machar, as well as holdout groups, civil society, women and youth.  

Corruption and impunity 

Meanwhile, corruption continues to be an obstacle to peace and security.  The Commission noted lack of progress since its 2025 report outlined how entrenched corruption as well as diversion and misallocation of public resources impact human rights. 

“All these years, the Commission has documented serious violations and identified the same underlying problem: impunity. Too often, those responsible for grave abuses have not been held accountable, while institutions responsible for justice remain weak and under-resourced,” said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations (UN).

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A country assessment mission under the Atoms4Food initiative, implemented by the IAEA and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, has identified opportunities to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and boost agricultural productivity in Liberia. From 19 to 24 July 2026, 12 experts worked with national counterparts to assess challenges across the country’s agrifood systems and to identify where nuclear and related technologies can deliver practical, science-based solutions.

The mission brought together government institutions, including the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, with laboratories, universities, research centres, farmers and development partners, to examine the entire agrifood value chain. Its findings will feed into a Country Assessment Report, which will form the basis of a national Action Plan guiding future investments, capacity building and technical cooperation activities under Atoms4Food.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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The President has also appointed Cllr. Abraham Boimah Sillah, Sr. as Acting Solicitor General of the Republic of Liberia, Ministry of Justice, effective September 11, 2026.

The appointments follow the recent transition at the Ministry of Justice and are intended to ensure continuity in the administration of justice and the effective discharge of the Ministry’s responsibilities.

Cllr. Lamin-Blamo and Cllr. Sillah will serve in their respective acting capacities pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate following the return of the Legislature in October.

In their letters of appointment, President Boakai expressed confidence in the integrity, professional competence, and experience of both officials and urged them to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, impartiality, and fidelity to the Constitution and laws of Liberia.

The President further called on the two officials to uphold the highest standards of integrity and public service as they assume their respective responsibilities.

President Boakai wished Cllr. Lamin-Blamo and Cllr. Sillah success as they serve the Liberian people in their new capacities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Liberia.

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Heading the ECOWAS delegation, Madam Sandra Oulaté, Director of the EGDC, underscored the importance of this milestone event: “Care is the invisible foundation of our economies and societies. ECOWAS is committed to making it visible, valued, and supported through strong policies, investments, and partnerships. The Africa Care Forum is an important and strategic gathering to spotlight the importance of just and fair care systems for Africa’s development, and ECOWAS is proud to contribute by presenting the strategic advances achieved in West Africa and the roadmap we are preparing for the future.”

Across West Africa, momentum on transforming care systems is growing, with an increasing number of countries adopting policies and innovations to recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work, while also strengthening the working conditions and visibility of paid care workers. In this effort, UN Women has been a longstanding partner, working alongside the ECOWAS Commission through its Regional Office for West and Central Africa to strengthen evidence, advocacy, and policy reform. A recent flagship publication to drive progress in the region includes the UN Women Care Snapshots, which provide governments and partners with clear, actionable insights on childcare, eldercare, disability support, water and energy infrastructure, and the paid care workforce.

Elena Ruiz Abril, Regional Policy Advisor at the UN Women Regional Office for West and Central Africa, emphasized the importance of the partnership with ECOWAS: “The Africa Care Forum, co‑organized by the African Union Commission and UN Women, is an important occasion to bring the advances from West Africa to the continental stage. Through our close collaboration with ECOWAS’ Gender Development Center, we are building momentum for reforms that will strengthen care systems and ensure they become a driver of equality, decent work, and sustainable development for all women and girls across the region.”

The Africa Care Forum provides a momentous occasion for ECOWAS to launch its work on the care economy as ECOWAS finalizes its Institutional Mapping of Care Systems in ECOWAS Member States, conducted in 2026 with the support of UN Women. This landmark study, to be launched during CSW71th in March 2027, will offer the first comprehensive overview of care needs, challenges, and opportunities across ECOWAS Member States, covering both unpaid care responsibilities and the role of paid care workers in sustaining health, education, and social services. The care economy, together with gender responsive climate action, has been identified as strategic priorities of the incoming ECOWAS Commission, reflecting increasing demand and commitment from Member States for strategies to accelerate and drive inclusive sustainable growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Health workers at Tororo General Hospital have asked Parliament to advocate for the facility’s elevation to a regional referral hospital, citing its infrastructure, equipment, staffing and available space for expansion.

The appeal was made by the hospital’s Senior Nursing Officer, Stella Agembi, during an oversight visit by Parliament’s Committee on Health on Wednesday, 09 September 2026.

Agembi said the hospital was well positioned for the upgrade because it serves an immediate catchment population of about 63,000 people, in addition to patients from five neighbouring districts and Kenya.

“The population we serve comes from most parts of Bukedi sub-region and other districts bringing the catchment area to over one million people. People continuously demand for services we are not able to provide as a general hospital and have to travel a long distance for specialised services,” said Agembi.

She noted that the hospital has adequate land for expansion of over 10 acres, adding that a regional referral status would improve their capacity to offer the services on high demand.

“The regional referral status comes with improvements in the staffing structure, equipment, and even better infrastructure”, Agembi said.

MPs observed that Tororo was better placed than the other general hospitals visited during the week, particularly in terms of infrastructure, equipment, staffing and available land.

They also noted that the facility had diagnostic equipment befitting a general hospital, in addition to significant support from development partners, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Baylor College of Medicine and the International Development Research Centre.

The committee, however, raised concern about poor hygiene, particularly in the maternity ward and outpatient department.  “In all the hospitals we have visited, you are performing better except for hygiene. What we saw at the maternity ward and outpatient department can push away patients, I urge you to prioritise the washrooms,” said the committee deputy chairperson, Hon. Hope Nakazibwe.

She advised the hospital to consider using part of its Primary Health Care funds to construct and improve toilets and ensure there are cleaners on a daily basis.

MPs warned that poor hygiene could expose the high number of women seen at maternity ward to sepsis; a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s extreme response to an infection begins damaging its tissues and organs.

The committee advised the hospital to stop using formalin to disinfect its open placenta pit, warning that its use posed environmental and health risks.

The legislators also visited Masafu General Hospital in Busia District, where they were alarmed by reports that locals were being charged up to Shs200, 000 before bodies could be released from the mortuary. Others reportedly paid as much as Shs 40,000 to keep bodies at the facility for weeks, a practice hospital staff claimed had been adopted from neighbouring Kenya.

The district leadership was tasked to investigate the matter and decide whether to continue receiving bodies from the community, introduce an approved fee and remit the funds or discontinue the charges.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

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Nationals in the Australian cities of Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane, as well as in various cities in New Zealand, commemorated the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle for independence with patriotic zeal.

At the commemorative event in Melbourne, Mr. Endrias Abraham, Eritrea’s Consul General, said that Bahti Meskerem is a historic day that demonstrated that no force could suppress the Eritrean people’s aspiration for independence.

Mr. Endrias went on to say that the struggle launched on that historic day was aimed not only at achieving national independence but also at building a developed Eritrea. He added that the occasion serves to renew the pledge of the Eritrean people and their vanguard organization, the PFDJ, to realize this goal by overcoming temporary challenges.

Mr. Kidane Ginbot, chairman of the Eritrean community in Victoria, expressed gratitude to the organizations that contributed to the colorful event and to the participants.

Nationals in various cities in New Zealand also commemorated the 65th anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle for independence.

The events featured cultural and artistic performances reflecting the significance of the day.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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The Ministry of Education conducted a meeting to assess the progress of civic education on 8 and 9 September in Asmara. The meeting was attended by representatives of regional administrations, heads of the PFDJ and national organizations, heads of departments and branches of the Ministry of Education, as well as representatives of other concerned institutions.

Mr. Zemihret Yohannes, head of Research and Documentation at the PFDJ, speaking on behalf of the PFDJ, said that although civic education was introduced relatively recently, it has reached a promising stage. He called for preserving the achievements registered and building on them to advance the program further.

Noting that civic education focuses on nurturing citizens, Mr. Zemihret said that the meeting will contribute significantly to critically reviewing the activities implemented and designing future programs.

At the meeting, research papers were presented on the background, objectives and pillars of civic education; the existing curriculum structure and civic education; a new education system supported by animation; and the experience of political education in the Central Region. The participants held extensive discussions on the papers and put forward constructive ideas.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Halima Mohammed, Minister of Education, commended the presenters and participants, stressing that the task should not be left to the Ministry of Education alone. She called for stronger participation by all stakeholders.

According to the Ministry of Education’s Department of General Education, civic education has been regularly provided in grades 4 to 10 since 2013. The preparation of reference books for grade 11 civic education is currently in its final stage, and the preparation of reference books for grade 12 will follow.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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For women displaced by conflict in Tambura, Western Equatoria State, developing new skills that enable them to set up new businesses are offering more than an income. They are helping families and entire communities rebuild, regain independence, and seize the opportunity of a safe and peaceful return home.

Six years after conflict forced her to flee her home, Jackline Moses is still living in a tent in Tambura. Despite the persistent uncertainty about security and her prolonged displacement, she has found a way to keep moving forward.

“Since the conflict started, the whereabouts of my husband and other relatives are unknown. A lot of bloodshed happened, and many people died here. We managed to escape but we saw terrible things on the way, including finding the bodies of a mother and her four children. This traumatized me, and I asked myself, ‘What is going on?’ We need peace.”

Through vocational training supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Jackline learned the skill of shoemaking that has since become a lifeline for her family.

She turns pieces of material into footwear that she sells in the local market. The income helps her feed her children and pay their school fees, giving her a measure of independence while she waits for the peace that will one day allow her family to return home.

“On a good market day, sometimes I sell three pairs for between 35,000 and 40,000 South Sudanese pounds each. This helps me to support my family.”

She is not alone.

Julie Bii has also turned livelihood training into new opportunities. After receiving catering training and start-up utensils, Julie opened a restaurant. With her husband away, the business has become an important source of income for her entire family.

“I have customers coming in, and I sometimes slaughter a goat a day. It is really helping me.”

While her restaurant is giving her income and a renewed sense of independence, this can only take her so far when she remains displaced.

“We have been suffering for so long and our children are dying in a way we don’t understand. We want peace for all of us to start returning home,” she said.

Her words capture the deeper reality of life for many displaced families in Tambura: livelihoods can help people survive and rebuild, but lasting recovery depends on peace and the ability to return home safely.

The experiences of Jackline and Julie also demonstrate the important role women play in strengthening families and contributing to community recovery. Through small businesses and livelihood activities, women are not only supporting their households but also creating opportunities for greater resilience and independence.

Njoki Kinyanjui, UNMISS Head of Yambio Field Office, says women in Tambura are increasingly taking leadership roles in peace efforts, conflict resolution, and economic activities.

“Women are taking leadership seriously. They are leading efforts for peace, conflict resolution, and establishing businesses. Over the years, UNMISS has contributed to these efforts as partners for peace, including through the previous presence of a temporary base and we are now starting to see the impact of that work.”

UNMISS works with communities through an integrated approach that combines protection of civilians, peacebuilding, and support for local resilience, with a focus on preventing tensions from escalating into violence.

For displaced women, their hopes extend beyond economic survival. What they want most is the opportunity to return home in safety.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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The United Nations General Assembly has passed the Correct the Map resolution with overwhelming support, including a yes vote from Zambia.

The Togo‑led initiative, backed by the African Union, sought to correct a cartographic injustice that visually minimised Africa’s true scale on world maps.

Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations,  Dr Chola Milambo welcomed the adoption,  underscoring that it was historic moment for Africa and other marginalised countries to have a correct depiction of the African continent. He highlighted that for centuries, the map was not depicted correctly.

The resolution recognises that the Mercator projection, widely used around the world distorts, from the perspective of area representation, continental masses located far from the equator, resulting in a proportional shrinkage of Africa and other regions. As a result, Africa appears roughly the same size as Greenland, when in reality, it is 14 times larger.

The resolution encourages governments, schools, and international institutions to adopt the 2018 Equal Earth projection, an equal‑area map that accurately represents continental sizes without distortion.

While non‑binding, the resolution carries significant weight and is expected to influence textbooks, atlases, and digital platforms worldwide.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations.

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The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, has congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election and assumption of a second term as President of the Republic of Zambia.

President Hichilema was re-elected in the presidential election held on 13th August 2026 and was sworn into office for his second term on 1st September 2026.

In his congratulatory message, the Secretary-General expressed confidence that the close partnership between Zambia and the United Nations will continue.

The Secretary-General’s message comes as messages of congratulations continue to be received from leaders, governments and international organisations following President Hichilema’s re-election and inauguration. The messages reflect the continued international engagement with Zambia and recognition of the importance of sustained cooperation in advancing the country’s development priorities.

As President Hichilema begins his second term, continued cooperation between Zambia and the United Nations is expected to focus on supporting national development priorities and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, while strengthening Zambia’s contribution to multilateral efforts to address shared global challenges.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations.

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