[State Department] On April 3, 2014, by Executive Order 13664, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in and in relation to South Sudan, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan and the surrounding region, including widespread violence and a

[allAfrica] Cape Town — Coronavirus lockdowns have contributed to “soaring rates” of sexual and gender-based violence across Africa, says a new report. And “almost all actors” in the continent’s armed conflicts use sexual violence as a tactic of war.

[allAfrica] Johannesburg — As we move into the third year of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve also seen more openness about another global crisis. The rise in stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health illnesses has risen dramatically during the lockdowns and social isolation of the pandemic. But in places where conflict, displacement and deaths have become widespread, the challenges of the past few years have added another layer onto the mental strain that people already face.

[IMF] End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.

[VOA] Juba — The United States, the United Kingdom and Norway — known as the Troika — have condemned the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) for attacking SPLA-In Opposition military bases in parts of the Upper Nile region.

[Ghanaian Times] South Sudan’s main opposition party led by First Vice President, Riek Machar, opted out of ongoing talks on Tuesday over the security arrangements, citing what he termed “unprovoked attacks” from troops loyal to President Salva Kiir.

[CAF] South Sudan and eSwatini picked up vital first leg away wins in the preliminary round of the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

[Addis Standard] Addis Abeba — Nabil Mahdi, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to South Sudan, has called for an end to repeated cross border attacks by Murle militants targeting civilians in Gambella regional state.The Ambassador said this during talks with South Sudanese Foreign Minister, Mayiik Ayii Deng.

[allAfrica] The 48-page paper presented by the UN Human Rights Council’s commission on South Sudan in Geneva on Monday provided horrifying details of the use of sexual violence against women and girls as a weapon of war in that nation.

[UN News] Widespread sexual violence against women and girls in conflict is being fueled by systemic impunity, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said on Monday.