AGP Executive Report

Ebola Preparedness at the Border: South Sudan is stepping up Ebola surveillance along the DRC border, with UN officials visiting Western Equatoria and screening hundreds of people daily at Nabiapai as authorities warn that porous entry points can bypass checks. River Transport Returns in Jonglei: Commercial boats are back on the Nile in Jonglei after a blockage was cleared, with vessels departing Bor Port and heading to places like Malakal and Bentiu—good news for traders and travelers. Electricity Link to Juba: Energy Minister Agok Makur says transmission infrastructure is advancing to bring Uganda’s Karuma hydropower through Nimule into Juba, with a Nesitu hub already built to distribute power across states. Security Push in Kapoeta East: Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore urged stronger preventive measures after reports of livestock theft and highway robberies, directing security teams to respond fast and protect civilians and travellers. Embassy Services Questioned: A South Sudan policy analyst says the Nairobi embassy was locked during a visit, calling for clarity after claims of a “technical shutdown,” while Kampala operations were described as fully running. Tourism & Aviation Safety: A Kenya helicopter crash near Samburu killed seven, including six tourists, underlining risks for safari travel in the region. Accessibility Complaint: A South Sudanese disability rights activist condemned Uganda Airlines after passengers with disabilities were forced off a Juba–Entebbe flight, raising fresh concerns for travellers with disabilities. Hospitality Growth: Aleph Hospitality appointed Rob Kucera as Regional Vice President for East and Southern Africa, aiming to expand its hotel portfolio across multiple destinations including South Sudan. US Travel Rules Ripple: US Ebola entry restrictions were extended another 30 days, and broader US deportation and TPS changes are also in the news—factors that can affect travel planning and cross-border movement for South Sudanese families and visitors.

Ebola Watch (DRC–South Sudan): WHO says the DRC outbreak is still far from under control, with nearly 5,000 infections and 2,300+ deaths across six provinces, and the fatality rate rising to about 46% as cases are detected late—prompting South Sudan to step up border surveillance along the porous DRC frontier. Border & Transport (Jonglei): River transport resumed in Jonglei after a blockage was cleared, with commercial boats departing Bor Port and moving goods and passengers north. Security on the Road (Eastern Equatoria): Governor Louis Lobong Lojore urged stronger preventive measures in Kapoeta East after reports of livestock theft and highway robberies targeting commuters and riders. Electricity for Travelers (Juba): South Sudan says transmission infrastructure is progressing to bring Uganda’s Karuma power via Nimule into Juba, with supply expected by late 2026 or early 2027. Embassy Access (Nairobi): A policy analyst says the South Sudan embassy in Nairobi remains locked after a “technical shutdown,” while Kampala operations continue. Tourism Risk (Uganda): A US “Do Not Travel” advisory is already hitting Uganda’s tourism and investment outlook, with Ebola and violent crime cited. Hospitality Growth (Nairobi): Aleph Hospitality appoints Rob Kucera as regional vice president for East and Southern Africa, based in Nairobi, to expand hotel operations across the region. Return & Repatriation (Juba): First Lady-supported efforts repatriated 30 South Sudanese from Egypt to Juba, with weekly airlift plans announced.

Northern Corridor Security: Kenyan long-distance truckers say insecurity in DRC and South Sudan is forcing them to consider ending trips unless routes are secured, citing killings, armed attacks, extortion and illegal roadblocks that disrupt the Northern Corridor trade lifeline. River Transport Resumes (Jonglei): Commercial boats are back on the Nile in Jonglei after authorities cleared a blockage, with vessels departing Bor Port and heading north to places like Fangak, Malakal and Bentiu. Power for Juba (Karuma Link): South Sudan says transmission infrastructure is advancing to bring Uganda’s Karuma hydropower through Nimule into Juba, with a Nesitu hub already built and supply expected by late 2026 or early 2027. Ebola Preparedness (DRC Border): South Sudan is stepping up surveillance along the porous DRC border, screening hundreds of travellers daily at Nabiapai and boosting coordination after UN visits to Western Equatoria. Local Security (Kapoeta East): Eastern Equatoria Governor Lobong calls for stronger preventive measures and faster responses after livestock theft and highway robberies in Kapoeta East. Embassy Update (Nairobi): A South Sudan policy analyst says the Nairobi embassy remains closed after a “technical shutdown,” while Kampala operations are reported fully running. Returnees Home: The First Lady’s office says 30 South Sudanese repatriated from Egypt arrived in Juba, with weekly airlift plans to continue.

Insurance & Travel: Amanah Insurance in Juba is rewarding eligible policyholders with annual surplus sharing, and it says it also offers medical and travel insurance plus a wider portfolio that includes motor, fire, marine and more. Power for Visitors & Cities: South Sudan says it’s on track to import electricity from Uganda’s Karuma hydropower via Nimule into Juba, with a distribution hub already built at Nesitu and more supply expected by late 2026/early 2027. Health & Border Travel: South Sudan is stepping up Ebola surveillance along the porous DRC border, screening hundreds daily at Nabiapai and pushing better coordination to prevent cases entering despite informal entry routes. Road Safety in Kapoeta: Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore urged stronger security in Kapoeta East after reports of livestock theft and highway robberies, directing authorities to protect civilians and travellers. Return Travel Logistics: The First Lady’s office says 30 South Sudanese were repatriated from Egypt to Juba, with weekly airlift plans announced. Ebola Shockwave for Region: The DRC Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with U.S. entry restrictions extended another 30 days tied to the outbreak’s rapid growth—an important heads-up for anyone planning travel through the region. Embassy Access: A policy analyst says the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi remains closed, while the Kampala mission is operating and issuing travel documents. Tourism & Culture: Tanzania will send six contestants to Miss Tourism East Africa finals in Kampala, with South Sudan listed among participating countries.

Ebola & Border Travel: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged to a sixth province, with authorities reporting a fatal case in Bas-Uele and warning of spillover risks toward South Sudan and the wider region. US Travel Rules: The U.S. extended Ebola-related entry restrictions for another 30 days, keeping practical travel limits in place for people with ties to the outbreak area. Diplomacy in Juba: President Salva Kiir met Sudan’s Darfur governor in Juba to push renewed peace talks, with a planned review of the Juba Peace Agreement expected soon. Embassy Access: A South Sudan policy analyst says the country’s Nairobi embassy remains locked after a “technical shutdown,” while the Kampala mission is operating normally for travel documents. Repatriation by Air: Thirty South Sudanese were flown home from Egypt with support from the First Lady, and officials say weekly airlift returns will continue. Health & Skills: AGOSS handed maternal and newborn health training simulators to Juba Teaching Hospital to boost practical midwifery and reproductive care. Scholarships: The UK Chevening Scholarship Programme is open to qualified South Sudanese, offering fully funded master’s study plus travel and visa costs. Migration Shock: Reports say the U.S. ended Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese (and others), raising uncertainty for people relying on the protection. Regional Mobility: Tanzania took over a regional labour migration committee chair from Uganda, aiming for safer, more orderly migration across East and Horn Africa.

Ebola Travel Watch (DRC): The U.S. extended its Ebola-related entry suspension for another 30 days, citing a sharp jump in Democratic Republic of Congo figures—4,318 confirmed cases and 2,011 deaths as of Aug. 9, up from 1,873 cases and 672 deaths on July 13—while the outbreak’s fatality rate is now reported around 46%. Ebola Spread (Border Concern): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached a sixth province, Bas-Uele, after a fatal case in Buta, raising fears about movement across the wider region that includes routes linked to South Sudan. Repatriation (South Sudan): Thirty South Sudanese were airlifted from Egypt to Juba with support from First Lady Mama Mary Ayen Mayardit; officials say weekly return flights will continue. Immigration (US TPS): The U.S. ended Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan (and others), meaning affected people must seek new options as court challenges may delay outcomes for some. Health & Skills (Juba): AGOSS handed maternal and newborn health training simulators to Juba Teaching Hospital to boost practical midwifery and reproductive care. Scholarships (UK): South Sudanese are invited to apply for the 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarship; applications close Oct. 6, 2026. Tourism/Travel Pages: A guide to Schengen visas for Italy and a note that North Korea has imposed Ebola-linked entry restrictions on some foreign tourists.

US Immigration Update: The U.S. has ended Temporary Protected Status for Somalia and South Sudan (plus Cameroon and Ethiopia), with USCIS listing termination dates of Aug. 14 for Somalia and Aug. 7, 2026 for South Sudan—raising uncertainty for thousands who had relied on the protection. Repatriation & Travel Home: Thirty South Sudanese were airlifted from Egypt and arrived in Juba with support from First Lady Mama Mary Ayen Mayardit; officials say weekly return flights will continue. Ebola & Border Travel Fears: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening fast, spreading to a sixth province (Bas-Uele) and stoking concerns about spillover risks for the region, including South Sudan; health agencies are also tightening traveler monitoring and entry rules linked to DRC. Health & Skills for Visitors/Clinics: AGOSS handed maternal and newborn health training simulators to Juba Teaching Hospital to boost practical midwifery and reproductive health care. Education Opportunity: The UK is inviting South Sudanese to apply for the 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarships, with applications closing Oct. 6, 2026. Local Leadership Loss: A high-ranking Interior Ministry official, Gen. Gatwech Gang Lual, died in Juba after a long illness, with burial planned in Akobo.

US Immigration Policy: The U.S. has ended Temporary Protected Status for Somalia and South Sudan (plus Cameroon and Ethiopia), with Somalia’s TPS ending Aug 14 and South Sudan’s ending Aug 7—leaving affected residents to find new options as deportation risks rise. Repatriation & Travel Home: Thirty South Sudanese were airlifted from Egypt and arrived in Juba on Aug 15, with the First Lady’s office covering travel costs and promising weekly return flights. Regional Mobility Watch: A growing Ebola crisis in eastern DR Congo has now spread to a sixth province (Bas-Uele), raising fresh concerns for cross-border movement and travel planning across the region. Health & Skills for Juba: AGOSS handed maternal and newborn health training simulators to Juba Teaching Hospital to strengthen practical care for midwives and reproductive health workers. Study Travel Opportunity: The UK is inviting South Sudanese to apply for the 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarships (deadline Oct 6), including tuition, living support, and travel costs. Diplomatic Services Disruption: South Sudan’s Nairobi embassy says it did not close—citing a temporary technical issue—after reports of disruption linked to rent arrears.

Ebola Alert for Travelers: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is accelerating fast and is on track to become the deadliest on record, with fears it could spread toward South Sudan as cases surge across provinces. Cross-Border Return Journey: 200 South Sudanese stranded in Sudan’s White Nile State have started a voluntary return home, traveling by road via Renk and Malakal to Wau, with more returnees expected. Diplomatic Services Disrupted: South Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi says it hasn’t closed permanently, but a temporary technical issue has disrupted operations, affecting consular travel-document services. Health & Training for Mothers: AGOSS handed maternal and newborn health training simulators to Juba Teaching Hospital to boost practical skills for midwives and reproductive health workers. Study Abroad Opportunity: The UK Chevening Scholarship Programme is open to qualified South Sudanese for 2027–2028, offering fully funded master’s study in the UK. Humanitarian Health Gap: A resurgent malaria crisis in Ethiopia’s Gambella area shows how delays and missed diagnoses can turn fever into a serious threat for families in hard-to-reach camps. Safety on the Move: U.S. and other countries are tightening travel guidance tied to the Ebola situation, raising practical planning questions for anyone traveling in the region.

Malaria in the spotlight: A mother in Ethiopia’s Kule Refugee Camp says malaria nearly kept her from getting timely care—highlighting how delayed diagnosis and limited access can turn a common illness into a crisis. Ebola travel shock for the region: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has now reached a sixth province (Bas-Uele), with officials warning the fast spread could spill toward South Sudan—while the CDC also tightens monitoring and entry rules for travelers linked to the DRC. Consular access hit in Nairobi: South Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi was reported closed after rent arrears, disrupting travel-document services for South Sudanese in Kenya until the government intervenes. Health capacity in Juba: AGOSS handed maternal and newborn training simulators to Juba Teaching Hospital to boost practical skills for midwives and reproductive health workers. Safety and movement guidance: A U.S. travel advisory explainer reiterates the four warning levels—useful for travelers weighing risk amid outbreaks and regional instability. Tourism infrastructure watch: Kenya Airways honors top travel agents as it expands capacity, a sign of continued demand for regional travel links.

Ebola & Border Travel: The DRC confirmed Ebola reached a sixth province, Bas-Uele, after a man died in Buta—raising fresh fears for cross-border movement toward South Sudan and the wider region. US Travel Alerts: The CDC escalated guidance for Americans, including a Level 4 “avoid all travel” warning for Ituri and Nord-Kivu and temporary flight restrictions for people recently in the DRC. Health Monitoring Rules: New CDC guidance lays out how health departments should track travelers for 21 days, with stricter checks for those coming from DRC airports. South Sudan Consular Access: South Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi temporarily shut after reported rent arrears, disrupting travel-document services for South Sudanese in Kenya. Passports & Travel Readiness: South Sudan’s civil registry and passports directorate says it will speed up issuance and cut delays that affect students and people traveling abroad. Regional Mobility & Trade: Kenya’s Lapsset corridor push (Lamu–South Sudan–Ethiopia) is framed as a boost for movement and security in Northeastern. Local Safety: Seven people were killed in an attempted cattle raid in Rumbek North County, with fighting and recovery of cattle reported.

Ebola Alert for Travelers: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province, with a fatal case reported in Bas-Uele after travel from Haut-Uele—raising fresh fears of spillover toward South Sudan and the wider region. Health & Travel Rules: The U.S. has escalated its Ebola travel warning and tightened entry rules for people recently in DR Congo, while CDC guidance calls for stricter monitoring for arrivals from Congo. South Sudan Consular Access: South Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi was reportedly closed due to unpaid rent, disrupting travel document processing for South Sudanese in Kenya. Passports & Immigration: A new Director General for South Sudan’s civil registry, nationality, passports and immigration says passport issuance will be faster and more transparent, after citizens reported delays. Visa Planning for South Sudanese: The U.S. shifted routine nonimmigrant visa services for South Sudan to a regional hub in Kampala (Uganda), meaning applicants must travel for appointments. Travel Freedom Snapshot: The Henley Passport Index shows a small group of passports now offer visa-free access to 180+ destinations, a useful reminder for travelers planning international trips. Tourism Spotlight: UNESCO added South Sudan’s first World Heritage Sites—Boma–Badingilo Migratory Landscape—putting the country’s wildlife on the global travel map.

Ebola & Border Fears: DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has surged past 2,000 deaths and spread to a sixth province, with officials warning it could reach South Sudan—while the WHO says the virus began circulating as early as February and is “ahead of us.” Travel Alerts: The U.S. has escalated its Ebola travel warning to Level 4 for Ituri and Nord-Kivu and tightened entry rules for anyone recently in the DRC, adding fresh hurdles for regional travel plans. South Sudan Consular Access: South Sudan’s embassy in Nairobi (Kilimani) was reported closed over rent arrears, but the foreign ministry says it’s only a temporary technical disruption—still, citizens say services were disrupted when they arrived for travel documents. Passports & Immigration: A new Director General for South Sudan’s civil registry, nationality, passports and immigration pledged faster, fairer document issuance and digital modernization to cut delays and fraud. U.S. Visa Changes for Tourists: Routine U.S. visa services for South Sudan are now handled via a regional hub in Kampala, Uganda, meaning nonimmigrant applicants must travel for appointments. Travel Freedom Snapshot: The Henley Passport Index shows a small group of passports now offer visa-free access to 180+ destinations, highlighting how travel access keeps widening globally.

South Sudan travel admin update: The South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi has been shut after reported rent arrears, leaving South Sudanese residents unable to access consular services and travel documents until the government steps in. Passports & border services: In Juba, the newly sworn Director General of the Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports and Immigration, Lt. Gen. Achol Cyier Rehan, pledged faster, fairer document issuance, digital modernization, and tougher anti-fraud measures—aimed at reducing delays that can derail students and travel plans. Visa access for travelers: The U.S. has ended routine visa services in Juba, moving nonimmigrant processing to a regional hub in Kampala, Uganda, meaning tourism and other applicants must travel for appointments. Regional travel risk: The U.S. has tightened Ebola-related entry rules tied to the DRC outbreak, and the CDC is also issuing strict monitoring guidance for travelers arriving from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan—important for anyone planning cross-border trips. Infrastructure & movement: Kenya’s Lapsset corridor projects, including the Nairobi–Garissa–Isiolo road, were highlighted as a boost for trade and security in Northeastern, shaping future travel routes.

Ebola & Travel Alerts: The U.S. tightened entry rules for travelers coming from DR Congo as Ebola cases in the country surged past 4,000, with CDC guidance now requiring stricter monitoring for arrivals and a 21-day travel restriction for people recently in DR Congo. Ebola Update (DR Congo): WHO says the outbreak began in February—months before the May declaration—and is accelerating fast, with more than 2,000 deaths reported and containment hampered by conflict, misinformation, and health worker shortages. Vaccine Shift: DR Congo formally requested emergency Ervebo vaccine doses from the global stockpile, marking a major reversal in WHO guidance as officials consider cross-protection for this strain. South Sudan Embassy Disruption: South Sudan’s Nairobi embassy shut over reported rent arrears, leaving citizens turned away when seeking travel documents and consular help. U.S. Visa Processing Change: Routine U.S. visa services for South Sudan moved to Kampala, Uganda, meaning nonimmigrant applicants must travel for appointments. Civil Documents Push: A new immigration director in Juba pledged faster, fairer passport and ID issuance while cracking down on corruption and fraud. Tourism & Heritage: UNESCO added South Sudan’s first World Heritage Site, the Boma–Badingilo Migratory Landscape, a major wildlife migration area. Wildlife Angle: World Lion Day coverage highlights lions in the Boma–Badingilo landscape and calls for stronger protection.

Ebola Travel Alert: The US upgraded its Ebola warning for DR Congo, with CDC Level 4 “avoid all travel” for Ituri and Nord-Kivu and Level 3 for Haut-Uélé and Tshopo, plus new flight limits for people who were in DR Congo within 21 days. Border & Visa Changes: South Sudan’s new civil registry and immigration boss, Lt. Gen. Achol Cyier Rehan, promised faster, corruption-free passport and document services, while the US shifted routine nonimmigrant visa processing for South Sudanese to Kampala (Juba embassy no longer handles routine visas). Tourism & Mobility: Canada moved consular services for South Sudan to Addis Ababa and added temporary Ebola-linked border measures for travelers from South Sudan, Uganda and DR Congo. Travel Safety Context: WHO says the eastern Congo Ebola outbreak began in February (before the May declaration) and has surged past 4,200 cases and 2,000 deaths, with containment hampered by conflict and health-system shortages. Local Travel Interest: UNESCO added South Sudan’s first World Heritage site, the Boma–Badingilo Migratory Landscape, putting wildlife travel on the map even as travel advisories remain high. Security on the Ground: Clashes in Lakes State’s Cuei-Bet County left three dead and five injured, a reminder that safe movement inside South Sudan is still fragile.