South Sudan’s independent media under pressure

As the Scottish government pushes on with its bid to hold a referendum on leaving the United Kingdom, with a hearing scheduled at the British Supreme Court on October 11 and 12, Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs Angus Robertson has told FRANCE 24 that his government is "not giving up".

Two thirds of South Sudan's population may face severe food shortages during next year's April-to-July lean season due to floods, drought and conflict, United Nations agencies said on Thursday (November 3). Rachel Judah reports.

The military junta is observing the 75th anniversary of independence with a gesture of amnesty, but critics have called it a stunt. Thousands still remain locked up as authorities continue to crack down on dissenters.

The leader of the Catholic Church travels to Juba along with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the moderator of the Church of Scotland. The three leaders are hoping to push for peace amid continued fighting.

In the first papal visit to South Sudan, Pope Francis is highlighting the plight of women in the young nation who face the world's highest material mortality rate and are subject to widespread sexual violence.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are in Tallinn. Estonia's Independence Day coincides with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Back in 2018, the signing of a peace deal between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his longtime rival Riek Machar created hope and optimism. The people of South Sudan, an independent nation since 2011, were emerging from a brutal civil war. However, five years later, this peace agreement is mostly respected only in Juba, the young nation's capital.

This year, more than 130,000 people have made their way back to South Sudan after years of conflict displaced millions. But now they are confronted with the lurking threat of unexploded land mines and bombs that could go off at any time.

Water from floods that destroyed entire villages and displaced thousands still remains — and plans to drain it have stalled. There is no hope that villagers will soon return to their submerged homes.

Amid an ongoing crisis and continuing financial hardships, women from Bentiu have turned to income-generating projects. They need more than the basic necessities provided by NGOs and aid agencies. DW met some of them.

Thousands of pro-coup supporters take to the streets in Niger marking the 63rd anniversary of the country's independence from France, as FRANCE 24 and RFI are banned in the country. We talk to Dr Olayinka Ajala, senior politics lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, about the latest developments. Also, violence in the Sahel flares up again with the slaying of several fishermen in northern Cameroon.

Thousands of pro-coup supporters take to the streets in Niger marking the 63rd anniversary of the country's independence from France, as FRANCE 24 and RFI are banned in the country. We talk to Dr Olayinka Ajala, senior politics lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, about the latest developments. Also, violence in the Sahel flares up again with the slaying of several fishermen in northern Cameroon.