Radio Miraya

On Peacemakers, host Gabriel Shadar discussed the newly elected Central Equatoria State Youth Union and its plans to promote peacebuilding, youth empowerment and social cohesion with its chairperson Aggrey Duku Arkangelo. The guest highlighted priorities including stronger youth structures, entrepreneurship and agricultural opportunities, sports and cultural activities, support for young women and girls, and greater youth participation in peace and development processes, with UNMISS Civil Affairs continuing to provide technical and capacity-building support.

With voter registration set to begin, the National Elections Commission says the country is technically ready, but legal reforms and political decisions remain critical. On this edition of The Roundtable, NEC Secretary-General Gabriel Bol Deng and civil society leader Edmund Yakani discuss election preparedness, funding, voter registration, legal hurdles and what must happen before South Sudan heads to the polls in December 2026.

On Democracy in Action, host Sani Martin spoke with Honourable Mary Becensio Wani, Commissioner in the Parliamentary Service Commission supervising the Parliament Budget in the National Legislature, about South Sudan’s budget process and the Appropriation Act.They discussed Parliament’s role in approving and monitoring public spending, the challenges affecting budget implementation and the repeated delays in presenting the national budget. The guest called for stronger political will, better revenue management and reforms to improve accountability and service delivery.

On Chai Talk, hosts Moyo Jacob and Viola Elias discussed the growing problem of child labour in South Sudan as the country marked the World Day Against Child Labour.The programme highlighted the increasing number of children working in the streets, in markets, at bus parks, and other public places instead of attending school. Many carry heavy loads, sell small items, wash cars, collect plastic bottles or beg for food and money.The discussion examined how child labour deprives children of education, good health, childhood and future opportunities, while exposing them to exploitation, violence, abuse and dangerous working conditions.The programme explored the reasons children are pushed into work, who is responsible for protecting them, and the roles of parents, communities and government institutions.

The Roundtable examines whether South Sudan can rely more on mutual aid as foreign assistance declines. It highlights the country’s heavy dependence on international aid, while arguing that decades of humanitarian support have not produced lasting improvements because aid is often poorly targeted, externally controlled and disconnected from local priorities.The research defines mutual aid as support provided directly within communities through families, neighbours, traditional leaders, faith groups and local networks. Examples include sharing food, communal farming, caring for vulnerable people, supporting displaced relatives and resolving conflicts.The report finds that these systems are deeply rooted in South Sudanese culture and could strengthen community resilience. However, mutual aid cannot fully replace formal assistance. The discussion calls for government responsibility, stronger traditional institutions and a new aid model that treats communities as genuine partners rather than simply using local organisations to implement externally designed programmes.