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IOM provides urgently needed assistance to people displaced by conflict in Malakal, South Sudan
GENEVA – Heavy fighting in Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State, caused widespread destruction and displaced thousands of people from their homes over the past month. An estimated 27,000 people have taken shelter on a UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Malakal.
IOM is at the forefront of assisting people displaced by conflict, both in Malakal and across South Sudan. The Organization is delivering shelter materials and non-food items, providing lifesaving health care and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, coordinating the management of displacement sites and registering people so that they can receive assistance.
As lead provider of WASH assistance for the displaced population in Malakal, IOM staff has been working since the beginning of the crisis to deliver treated water, build latrines and showers, collect refuse and promote good hygiene practices.
Ongoing insecurity in the Malakal area has created challenges for delivering enough treated water by truck to the site. In order to ensure that water needs are met, IOM is currently constructing a new pipeline from the nearby river to the site, and is also providing chlorine treatment at the main entrance of the site for people bringing water back from the river.
Over-congestion is a significant challenge at the site, which was originally intended only to host UN staff and equipment. The estimated site density is currently 2.2 square meters per person, which is significantly below the Sphere humanitarian standard of 45 square meters per person.
“I’ve been living at UNMISS for two weeks now,” a displaced civilian told IOM. “I was studying education at the university in Malakal. Life is so difficult now because of the insecurity. The site here is very congested. In the place where I am living, there are 15 people in one spot.”
As co-lead of the Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster, IOM is working with UNMISS and humanitarian partners to identify ways to expand the site’s Protection of Civilians area and ensure that space is available for the further construction of vital infrastructure such as latrines and water points.
During the heavy fighting earlier this month, the UNMISS Level 2 Hospital was destroyed by shelling and emergency health partners that were initially providing support were evacuated, creating a major gap in health care availability. On 26 January IOM reopened a clinic previously operated by a health partner on the base. The clinic consists of three prefabricated buildings serving as consultation rooms and a pharmacy. Tents have also been erected for triage and waiting areas.
“We are seeing between 250 and 300 patients per day at our clinic,” said IOM Migration Health Officer Dr. Mamadou Diao Bah. “These numbers emphasize the urgent need for health care support here. We are mainly seeing cases of diarrhea and malaria, which are treatable but of course can be very serious if not addressed.”
The crowded conditions at the UNMISS base raise a serious risk for the outbreak of disease. To help mitigate this risk, IOM and partners are organizing a mass measles and oral polio vaccination campaign, set to begin as soon as a reliable cold chain can be re-established in Malakal.
On 28 January, UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos visited Malakal, meeting with patients and medical staff at the IOM clinic and also touring the looted IOM warehouses in the town. Ms. Amos expressed her appreciation toward IOM and humanitarian agencies in Malakal, saying, “I am proud of the work of aid agencies in South Sudan who remained during this tense and difficult period, delivering aid.”
As security conditions allow, IOM will expand its assistance outside of the UNMISS Malakal base. An assessment mission to determine the number and needs of displaced people living in Malakal town is planned for later this week.
At least 646,500 people have been internally displaced across the whole of South Sudan since the onset of the crisis, with 76,000 seeking physical protection within UN bases. IOM is committed to continuing its support for those affected by the conflict.
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”
Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.
The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.
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Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.
After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.
According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.
He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.
The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.
Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.
The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.
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“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.
However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.
The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.
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