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South Sudan Closes Schools Due to Heatwave
South Sudan is bracing for a brutal heatwave with temperatures expected to reach a scorching 45°C, prompting the closure of all schools nationwide. This extreme weather event, predicted to last at least two weeks, has already caused deaths related to excessive heat, according to authorities.
The stifling heat has impacted daily life in the capital, Juba, where residents sweltered without electric fans due to power cuts triggered by the high temperatures. With the streets largely deserted by midday, children in uniforms could be seen returning home after being turned away from school.
This early heatwave is unprecedented for South Sudan, where temperatures typically only exceed 43°C during the summer months, according to the World Bank’s Climate Change portal. Officials warn of the “serious health hazards” posed to students and have ordered schools to close from Monday, March 18th. While an exact reopening date remains unclear, teachers anticipate classes resuming on April 3rd.
In neighboring Kenya, the Meteorological Department Monday issued a forecast for sunny and dry conditions across most of the country for the next week, with average daytime temperatures exceeding 30°C in many regions. While some areas, particularly in the central highlands, might experience cooler nights, rainfall is expected in specific regions including the South-western Kenya, South-eastern lowlands, and the Coast.
Ugandan Security Forces on High Alert After ADF Incursion
Ugandan security forces are on high alert following the infiltration of a group of fighters believed to be from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-linked militant group.
The military announced Monday that the militants crossed from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the weekend. Authorities suspect the group is led by a notorious bomb-making expert, Ahamed Muhamood Hassan, also known as Abu Waqas.
The ADF has been blamed for a series of deadly attacks in Uganda, targeting civilians in urban areas, places of worship, schools, and public events. Most recently, the group was accused of a horrific attack on a school in western Uganda last June, where dozens of students were killed.
The Ugandan military is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or individuals to authorities. This comes as part of ongoing efforts to neutralize the ADF threat.
A joint Ugandan-DRC offensive launched in 2021 aimed to dismantle the group’s strongholds in the DRC, but the ADF has proven persistent in carrying out attacks.
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