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Kaltuma Vanesa

Produced by Kaltuma Vanesa

December 05, 2024
East Africa truck drivers protest

Truck drivers transporting goods to South Sudan from East African countries have refused to cross the Nimule border point because of a $70 tax imposed on truck drivers carrying goods destined for South Sudan. The drivers tell VOA they face insecurity, extortion and harassment from security officers on South Sudan’s roads. They are calling on the East African Community to intervene. For VOA news, Kaltuma Vanesa reports from Torit.
December 04, 2024
South Sudan Health officials advocate for voluntary HIV tests

Healthcare officials in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State are calling on HIV-positive individuals to seek advice on how to live with the AIDS virus. The officials say taking voluntary tests could help stop the spread of the disease across the counties of the state. Kaltuma Vanesa reports for VOA from Torit.
December 03, 2024
County leaders in South Sudan threaten to kick out a non-profit

Community leaders from Kuji village in Eastern Equatoria state met with the Lafon County authorities to end tensions caused by what the community calls the unfair recruitment process at the Carter Center, an American nonprofit founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The community has asked the county commissioner to expel the nonprofit from the state within three days. Kaltuma Vanesa reports for VOA from Torit.
November 25, 2024
South Sudan maternal mortality rate

The Eastern Equatoria State ministry of health says the maternal mortality rate is still a major issue affecting many families across the state. State health officials are asking the national health ministry to focus on improving primary health care in the state. Kaltuma Vanesa reports from Torit.
November 12, 2024
South Sudan communities reject road project

Communities in Eastern Equatoria state have rejected a 11-kilometer road project linking Kenya and South Sudan. Kenyan President William Ruto who recently visited Juba, discussed with President Salva Kiir plans to build a road from Nadapal to Nakodok in Eastern Equatoria's Kapoeta North county, but local community leaders have accused Kenya of trying to extend its territory inside South Sudan. Kaltuma Vanesa reports from Torit for VOA.
November 04, 2024
South Sudan’s miners trapped

Authorities in Kapoeta South County of Eastern Equatoria state say at least 7 miners were killed and several others still trapped when a gold mine collapsed last week. Officials who visited the site over the weekend say road conditions delayed the rescue team. Kaltuma Vanesa has more from Torit.
October 24, 2024
United Nations Day is celebrated in South Sudan

The UN Mission in South Sudan marked United Nations Day Thursday in Eastern Equatoria state with a plea that national authorities provide services to millions of people affected by conflict, climate shocks, and extreme food insecurity. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, called on the people of South Sudan and its political leaders to ensure lasting peace across the country. Kaltuma Vanesa reports for VOA from Torit.
October 23, 2024
Residents say telecom rates in Eastern Equatoria state are too high

Residents of Eastern Equatoria State say high tariff charges levied by telecommunications networks in the country are too high compared to telecom rates in other countries. They say the recently increased rates could hurt communications across the country. Kaltuma Vanesa files for VOA from Torit.
October 09, 2024
Community rejects water project

Community leaders in South Sudan’s Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria state have rejected the Limur multi-purpose project that was planned for their area. The leaders say the proposed project will do more harm than good to residents of the County, who add that they were not consulted regarding the reported benefits of the project. Kaltuma Vanesa has more from Torit.
September 30, 2024
South Sudan’s intercommunal violence looms

Revenge killings are common across some communities in South Sudan. Authorities in Eastern Equatoria state’s Torit County say they are working to defuse the tension between communities in Hiyala and Haforere to prevent more revenge attacks. Kaltuma Vanesa reports from Torit.
September 27, 2024
South Sudan official confiscate goods

State officials in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State have warned traders against selling expired goods. This comes after authorities confiscated expired goods this week from many traders in parts of the state capital, Torit. Kaltuma Vanesa reports from the Eastern Equatoria capital, Torit.
September 25, 2024
South Sudan’s levirate marriage

Some communities across South Sudan still practice levirate marriages, a custom or law that requires a widow to marry her deceased husband's brother. A number of communities in Eastern Equatoria State practice wife inheritance. Some widows who have gone through the cultural tradition say it has done more harm than good. Kaltuma Vanesa has more from Torit.
September 20, 2024
State authorities fight alcohol addiction

The county commissioner of Torit in Eastern Equatoria state says imposing restrictions on alcohol consumption in many parts of South Sudan has proved counterproductive, since most families who brew alcohol do it to earn income. Some women in the state say they depend on selling homemade alcohol to feed their children. Kaltuma Vanesa reports from Torit.
September 18, 2024
South Sudan’s stranded community

Authorities and community leaders in Eastern Equatoria state say a washed-out bridge in Owinykibul village has cut off service delivery to communities affected by heavy rainfall. The commissioner of Magwi County is calling on both the state and national governments to act. Kaltuma Vanesa files from Torit.
September 13, 2024
South Sudan parliamentarians disagree

Some lawmakers in the Eastern Equatoria state Legislative Assembly say the financial report of the state ministry of finance for fiscal year 2022-2023 had some loopholes. The MPs say the report needs vigorous review as the Assembly prepares the budget for fiscal year 2023-2024. For VOA news, Kaltuma Vanesa reports from Torit.
September 12, 2024
Elections Fever Looms in South Sudan

Some political parties in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state say they are ready for the December election. They say their candidates who are eager to run for various and national and stat seats across the country. The group is urging the electoral commissions to provide a timeframe so that South Sudanese have enough time to choose candidates in the December polls. Kaltuma Vanesa has more from Torit.
September 06, 2024
Lack of feminine products discourages some South Sudanese girls from school participation

Many girls in South Sudan are not able to buy menstrual hygiene products, which are expensive and often not available. Some girls in Torit say they miss classes because of a lack of sanitary pads. A teacher at African Inland Church primary school in Torit town says most girls from vulnerable families face difficulties concentrating on their studies during their monthly periods. Kaltuma Vanesa has more from Torit.
September 04, 2024
Lawmakers stressed over land grabs

Eastern Equatoria State lawmakers allege that foreign troops have encroached across the border for years and are calling on the national government to intervene. Lawmakers say people in Magwi, Ikwoto and Kapeota East Counties bordering Uganda and Kenya have reported being harassed by members of the Uganda’s security forces, who they say have erected military posts inside South Sudan territories. Kaltuma Vanesa has more from the Eastern Equatoria state capital, Torit.
September 03, 2024
South Sudan state assembly members request vehicles

Lawmakers in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State are asking the state government to distribute vehicles to members of the state parliament, who depend on only four vehicles as they visit their constituencies. The state parliament is also asking the executive to stop using government assets for individual purposes. Kaltuma Vanesa has more report from Torit
August 30, 2024
South Sudan’s farmers harvest

Some farmers in Terekeka County of Central Equatoria state say they had a good harvest of groundnuts this season. One farmer says he plans to use some of the profits for his children’s school fees. Other farmers in the area say several families in their village will not need food aid for some time to come. The UN says more than seven million South Sudanese are food insecure. Manyang David Mayar has more from Juba.

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