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.

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.

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.

South Sudanese model Majda John Peter has been crowned the winner of the world's most prestigious modelling competition, as the event held by global agency Elite returned on Tuesday.

On World Humanitarian Day, we talk to the UN's coordinator for aid work in South Sudan about the perils of humanitarian work there. Five aid workers have been killed in the country since the beginning of the year.

A desperate lack of funding has forced the World Food Programme to suspend some food aid in South Sudan just as the country needs it most. We speak to the WFP's acting country director, Adeyinka Badejo. Also, survivors of one of the most brutal extremist attacks in Burkina Faso say that government forces left them helpless. At least 79 people were killed in the massacre in Seytenga on Saturday. And there are calls for an extension of MINUSMA's mission in Mali after this week's UN Security Council briefing.

South Sudan's independence in 2011 was supposed to bring hope for a better future after decades of conflict. Instead, the world's youngest nation descended into civil war, with violence continuing despite a 2018 peace deal. As hope in the government's ability to end the conflict dwindles, civil society is stepping in with grassroots peacebuilding efforts. Thomas Sametin co-directed the documentary "For the Sake of Peace", which profiles two of these peacebuilders. He joined us on Perspective to tell us more.

A new film paints a portrait of the woman known in South Sudan as the "mother of the nation". The film follows Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, who is the widow of revolutionary leader and national hero John Garang de Mabior, in her role as the country's vice president amid a fragile peace deal in the country. The portrait is remarkable for its intimate access as its director is also her daughter, Akuol de Mabior. She joined us for Perspective to tell us more about "No Simple Way Home".

Feminism – that’s still a taboo topic in many parts of society in South Sudan. With their radio show, Gendertalk211, a group of South Sudanese women are trying to raise awareness and talk openly about the issues affecting women in their community.

As the yearlong civil war in Ethiopia's Tigray region escalates, Kenya and South Sudan are on high alert.

From Hollywood hero to suspected terrorist, high-profile Rwandan government critic Paul Rusesabagina is denied bail by a Kigali court. Catastrophic floods affect hundreds of people in South Sudan; we speak to Matthew Hollingworth, Director of the World Food Programme in the country. And in Uganda, forests are flourishing thanks to help from an unexpected source.

Reports say that some 300 people were killed in South Sudan in inter-communal violence. We speak to Professor Awol Allo, who sheds light on what is behind the tribal clashes. Also, the WHO and UNAIDS have expressed concern about people living with HIV in Africa, and how the distribution of medication could be disrupted due to the coronavirus. We bring you a report from the ground. And Ethiopian domestic workers are stranded in Lebanon and unable to return home - many are no longer working and have had their passports confiscated.