Public Finance: South Sudan’s Economic Reform Committee has directed the Finance Ministry to resume paying civil servant salaries and fund foreign missions, citing a surge in cash revenue collections by the South Sudan Revenue Authority, though no clear start date was given. Health Supply Chain: The Ministry of Health inaugurated a new $365,000 medical warehouse in Gumbo, adding about 1,400 metric tons of storage to strengthen national distribution and cut reliance on costly private warehousing. Telecom Costs: Mobile call and data prices rose again after the National Communication Authority’s third tariff adjustment, adding fresh pressure on households and businesses already hit by inflation and currency weakness. Elections & Governance: President Salva Kiir’s office pushed back against external pressure on South Sudan’s transition, insisting elections and reforms must be driven by South Sudanese institutions, while a UN human rights commission warned that missing safeguards could fuel conflict. Humanitarian Funding: WFP said food support for refugees in South Sudan is slipping as funding dries up, with assistance at risk of ending after September. Security & Trade Disruption: Reports of armed men abducting Ugandan truck drivers and seizing trucks in Bor have sparked denials from the SSPDF, raising concerns for cross-border transport and commerce. Regional Migration Politics: Liberia received the first group of 20 U.S. deportees under a deal to accept up to 1,200 over 12 months, with $5 million support for migration management—an issue that also links to South Sudan’s mention among countries involved in third-country deportations. Business & Markets: Uganda’s export routes are shifting as Kenya falls behind due to non-tariff barriers, with South Sudan and DR Congo emerging as key destinations. Agriculture & Jobs: A fresh call for agriculture as a national priority highlights the need for seeds, tools, irrigation, roads, and affordable financing to boost food security and employment. Trade & Logistics Tech: East Africa’s supply-chain costs and delays are being blamed on slow, paper-heavy payments, with calls for digital payments to improve transparency and reduce working-capital strain. Energy & Imports: Japan’s oil import bill hit an all-time high, underscoring how higher global fuel prices can ripple into inflation and regional energy planning. Leadership Loss: Former finance minister Salvatore Garang Mabiordit has died in Juba, ending a long career spanning public finance and economic planning.