UNDP and the Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Committee of the Yei River State Assembly, in collaboration with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), recently organized a two-day youth peace dialogue aimed to unify youth from different ethnic groups living in Yei River State.

Benjamin Moore currently serves in the Office of the Resident Coordinator, at UNDP South Sudan, as Special Assistant to the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator. He was one of ten UNDP staff members invited from across the globe to the UNLEASH 2017 Innovation Lab event which was held in Denmark in August.

Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan H.E. Kiya Masahiko and Inspector General of Police Said Chawul Lom Aywal visited one of three community aid posts supported by the Government of Japan, marking the start of the operation of the Joint Integrated Police in Juba.

The training aimed for the committee members to develop a common understanding of a human rights-based and victim-centred approach to consultation methodologies for transitional justice in South Sudan.

“The ‘Made in South Sudan’ exhibition was a welcome, much-needed event for us. We were so happy for this opportunity for South Sudanese entrepreneurs to showcase their products,” said Matata Safi Khamis, Country Representative for Honey Care Africa in South Sudan.

UNDP Country Director, Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen, accompanied by the Chairperson of South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission Hon Chuol Rambang and the Deputy Commissioner of Rajaf West County, Hon Gasim Oresto, officially launched the new Jondoru Peace Market in Rejaf County.

A delegation representing South Sudan travelled to Kigali, Rwanda in July to represent their countrymen and share their unique experiences in technology, entrepreneurship, skills development and public service at the inaugural #YouthConnekt Africa Summit.

Nearly two years ago, UNDP began deploying a number of highly professionalized civil service support specialists to Yambio, the capital city of the former Western Equatoria State - now renamed Gbudue State - to provide credible support to state government institutions as well as to community-based organizations.

The Board of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Initiative for capacity enhancement in South Sudan lauded the positive impact of the transfer of skills and knowledge to South Sudanese civil servants during the recent Project Executive Board meeting on July 12, 2017 in Juba.

The conference was organized by UNDP and the Ministry of Environment. It serves as a vehicle for key policy formation related to the joint recovery and stabilization programme launched by UNDP, FAO, WFP, and UNICEF.

President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E. Salva Kiir presided over the graduation ceremony, which was attended by the First Vice President H.E. Taban Deng Gai, Hon. Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut, Minister of Interior Hon. Michael Chiengjiek Gai, Special Representative of the Secretary General David Shearer, United Nations Development Programme Country Director Kamil Kamaluddeen, senior members of the diplomatic community, and senior security leadership of South Sudan.

The Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) mandates the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to conduct national consultations in collaboration with other stakeholders and civil society, to inform the design of the legislation of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing.

A five-day trade exhibition showcasing locally-made products and businesses, dubbed “Made in South Sudan”, was held June 6-10, 2017 under the theme “Together Promoting South Sudan Business and Industrial Development.”

NPSSS also inaugurated new facilities located at the Vocational Training Centre to expand instruction into four new trades: information and communication technology (ICT), food processing, bakery, and plumbing.

Chiefs of Duk Padiet, Ayod South and Ayod Central called a community peace dialogue to address ongoing conflict between Dinka Hol and Gawier Nuer in Duk Padiet, Jonglei state. More than 80 community members, including chiefs, youth and women representatives, religious leaders and traders came together to discuss freedom of movement, cattle theft and road ambushes between the communities.

Aweil State Governor a.i., Hon.James Wieu Mayuol, along with the Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan, H.E. Kiya Masahiko, and UNDP Senior Advisor on Human Development and Inclusive Growth, Biplove Chaudhary, officially inaugurated Aweil State Revenue Authority as the first-ever state revenue authority to be founded in South Sudan.

Police and prosecutors came together to explore their complementary roles in law enforcement response to special protection cases.

Food insecurity in South Sudan is affecting an estimated 5 million people, who urgently need livelihoods assistance. The IGAD Initiative civil service support officers deployed in Yambio and their South Sudanese counterparts (twins) have a plan to end famine in South Sudan.

David Deng Maker is a Programme Analyst with UNDP’s Human Development and Inclusive Growth Unit. He has an integral role in the implementation of our pilot Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development project, launched last June. The project has so far trained 110 men and women in entrepreneurship skills and business development advisory services.

Awerial County South and Awerial County North wrestling teams participated in a tournament organized by Solidarity Ministries Africa for Reconciliation & Development (SMARD) with the support of UNDP’s Peace and Community Cohesion project (PaCC) in the new community stadium constructed in Mingkaman

Some 100,000 people are already facing famine in South Sudan, while 1 million more are on the brink. UNDP South Sudan, with UNICEF, FAO, and WFP, has championed and proactively engaged in an integrated recovery and resilience-building programme, strengthening social services for the most vulnerable, building peace, strengthening governance, and reinvigorating the local economy