Radio Miraya

South Sudan has vast agricultural potential, yet millions continue to face food insecurity due to conflict, climate shocks, and limited investment.With the National Agriculture Conference set for May in Juba, key stakeholders are expected to come together to find solutions and unlock opportunities in the sector. But can this conference translate into real change on the ground?In this discussion, hosted by Sani Martin, we explore what is at stake and what outcomes citizens should expect, with Evans Kenyi Solomon, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and Felix Dzurumi, Acting Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization.

On the Miraya Breakfast Show, Dr Mutale Senkwe, Cluster Lead for Health Programme and Technical Officer for Noncommunicable Diseases at WHO, and Dr Kenneth Sube, Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Juba, said this year’s World Health Day theme, “Together for Health, Stand with Science,” is a call to trust science and support practical health solutions. They also highlighted a University of Juba initiative to screen teachers’ eyesight and distribute reading glasses, while urging stronger support for teachers as key pillars of education and national development.

In this discussion, Luate Satimon, Executive Director of Integrity South Sudan, says that accountability in South Sudan is too often treated as a slogan rather than a real practice. He explains that genuine accountability means transparency, leaders being able to justify their decisions, and real enforcement through punishment, dismissal, prosecution, and recovery of public resources. Satimon argues that executive accountability is essential to prevent abuse of power, deter corruption, and restore public trust in institutions. He says parliament, the audit chamber, the judiciary, and the Anti-Corruption Commission should play stronger and more independent oversight roles, but criticises them for failing to act effectively. He also calls for practical reforms such as mandatory asset declarations, whistleblower protection, the creation of an independent ethics commission, and tougher penalties for corrupt officials, including barring them from public office until they are cleared. Overall, he stresses that South Sudan needs stronger institutions, consistent enforcement, and real political will to make accountability a living culture rather than just a slogan.

On the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, William Ngabonziza, Chairperson of the Rwandan Community in South Sudan, said the day is a time for mourning, reflection, and renewed commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again. He highlighted unity, accountability, and strong leadership as key factors behind Rwanda’s recovery, and said South Sudan can draw lessons from Rwanda by promoting reconciliation, rejecting hate speech, embracing diversity, and building peace from the community level upward. He also invited the public to join commemoration activities in Juba and other parts of South Sudan in solidarity with the victims and survivors.