South Sudan In Focus

Armed men ambush vehicles along Juba-Nimule road, killing five people and injuring three others; some Juba residents express worry over the potential side effects of the coronavirus vaccine; and an African Union delegation arrives in Khartoum to monitor the progress of Sudan's political transition.

Reaction is mixed among political parties in Sudan over the signing of the 'Declaration of Principles' between the transitional government and a faction of the SPLM-North; community leaders in Eastern Equatoria State encourage refugees to return home; and the World Health Organization reports Africa lags behind in its vaccination efforts against COVID-19.

Central Equatoria State officials say armed men killed ten people in two separate incidents along the Juba-Yei Road; Juba police arrest dozens of demonstrators following the death of local singer Beatrice Hilu Cosmas, known as Trisha C.; and health experts hope to quickly reach herd immunity to fight against emerging variants of COVID-19.

Church leaders in Central Equatoria State condemn clashes between the South Sudan Peoples Defence Force and the National Salvation Front; South Sudanese refugees react to a recent order from the Kenyan government to shut down Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps; and members of Sudan's transitional government and a faction of the SPLM-North sign a 'Declaration of Principles' in Juba.

African Union officials vow to take action against South Sudanese signatories who delay implementing security arrangements outlined in the 2018 peace deal; land grabbers rename villages in and around Juba County; and in Sudan, health officials report a rise in coronavirus cases among school children in Khartoum and Al Jazeera states.