Author: The South Sudan Herald

Stalled 2018 Accord Under Scrutiny South Sudan’s revitalised 2018 peace agreement remains hamstrung by slow implementation, disunity among signatories and looming elections. Regional observers warn that unresolved security arrangements and delayed constitutional milestones could reignite violence if left unchecked. Civil Society Voices Urgent Appeal Edmund Yakani, head of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, asked the UN Security Council to back the African Union Peace and Security Council’s recent recommendations. He argues that only an inclusive, top-level political dialogue can unlock the remaining articles of the accord and prepare the ground for credible polls. Yakani insists that releasing political detainees would…

A Milestone for Technical Education Sixty trainees marched across Rumbek this week, receiving certificates in tailoring, catering, computer applications and hairdressing. The ceremony crowned a nine-month course run by the Lakes State Ministry of General Education and Instruction with technical oversight from the Ministry of Labour. Backed by Oxfam and the German BMZ fund, the project was implemented by local NGO DARD, ensuring that women, returnees and people with disabilities formed nearly half the cohort, according to programme coordinator Mary Akot. Government-Partner Synergy State Director General Gabriel Maluac Yak praised the collaboration, noting that public agencies supplied curricula while partners…

Diplomatic Arrival in Tokyo Narita International Airport briefly turned into a corridor of flags as Ambassador Monday Semaya Kumba stepped onto Japanese soil Tuesday morning. He was greeted by senior officials from Japan’s foreign ministry and South Sudan’s envoy, Ambassador Victoria Samuel Aru, underscoring Tokyo-Juba ties. TICAD9 Agenda and Expectations TICAD9 convenes heads of state, ministers and investors to debate health, infrastructure, agritech and digital connectivity across Africa. According to a Foreign Affairs statement from Juba, Minister Monday aims to secure project finance and technology transfers aligned with South Sudan’s Revitalized Peace Agreement. Japan Offers New Financial Pathways Japanese Prime…

Rapid Response to Land Disputes Central Equatoria State Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel has unveiled a proposal for a special court dedicated to land grabbing cases, arguing that fast-tracked justice would deter illegal occupation and boost investor confidence. The idea emerged after closed-door talks in Juba with Chief Justice Dr Benjamin Baak Deng, echoing President Salva Kiir’s call for tighter synergy between state executives and the national judiciary. Mujung told reporters, “We need an institution that can handle these matters promptly and fairly so communities feel protected and investors feel safe.” Why Land Conflicts Persist Years of displacement during conflict left…

Torit Remembers 70 Years On Torit Freedom Square filled with hymns and history as citizens marked the septuagenary of the 1955 mutiny, an uprising widely seen as the spark of South Sudan’s liberation struggle. Veterans stood beside youth, linking past sacrifice to today’s quest for durable peace. Cardinal Ameyu’s Call for Transformative Dialogue Archbishop of Juba, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu, asked congregants to pursue peace that is “more than the absence of war” but rooted in justice and charity. He urged leaders to practice honest dialogue that “breaks down divisions and builds bridges of trust” across the young nation. Church Networks…

Renewed Fighting Shakes Fragile Peace Fresh clashes erupted in Upper Nile and Unity states in March, snapping the power-sharing truce signed in 2018. Government troops advanced against SPLM-IO positions, citing security threats, but opposition commanders labeled the push a ‘calculated exclusion’ of Vice-President Riek Machar from national affairs. Machar–Kiir Rift Reopens Old Wounds President Salva Kiir’s decision to restrict Machar to Juba residence revived memories of the 2013 civil war that cost an estimated 400,000 lives. Analysts in Nairobi argue the move erodes trust among Nuer and Dinka communities, potentially triggering fresh communal violence far from military front lines. UN…

Countdown to Release For weeks, candidates anxiously refreshed school noticeboards, waiting for confirmation that their 2024 Senior Four scores were ready. Education Minister Kuyok Abol Kuyok broke the suspense in Juba, announcing that results would go live nationwide on 20 August 2025. Presidential Endorsement Signals Transparency Kuyok told Vice-President Josephine Lagu Yanga that President Salva Kiir had already inspected the data set and authorised its publication, a gesture officials portray as a commitment to accountability. Candidates will access grades via SMS platforms and school portals from Wednesday morning, reducing costly travel for remote learners. Tackling Persistent Education Challenges While celebrating…

Flashpoint in Lakes State A routine family meeting in Ayen, Rumbek North, turned violent on Monday, leaving one man dead and six wounded. Eyewitnesses say the discussion concerned a teenage pregnancy linking the Anien and Pajok clans. Within minutes, gunfire shattered the gathering and scattered participants. County Commissioner Moses Maker Magok reported that security troops dispersed the crowd and are tracking suspected shooters. He insisted that ‘courts, not rifles, should settle dowry or paternity rows’ (Radio Tamazuj). Uneasy Calm in Ayen Village By Tuesday morning, market stalls reopened, yet tension remained palpable. Elders from both clans performed traditional prayers beside…

Shifting Battle Lines in Central Equatoria Joint operations by NAS and SPLA-IO against SSPDF this month signal a rare convergence of battlefield interests. Field commanders in Central Equatoria report improved coordination, a contrast to previous years of mistrust. Analysts in Juba consider the move a potential turning point. Citizens Longing for Cohesion From displaced camps in Wau to tea stalls in Nimule, civilians voice the same plea: unite. Student activist Mary Ayor states, “Fragmentation keeps war alive.” Observers note that, while social media amplifies rival rhetoric, grassroots fatigue with conflict could pressure leaders toward compromise. Military Synergy and Political Momentum…

Heavy Rainfall Triggers Overnight Flood Panyijiar County woke on Tuesday to ankle-deep water after a fierce cloudburst the previous night swamped Ganyliel’s lone primary health care centre and its adjoining airstrip. Local staff described the downpour as the heaviest in recent memory, surpassing seasonal norms tracked by county meteorological observers. Patients Relocated to Safer Ground County health director Peter Yoak said 24 patients—13 men and 11 women—were carried to an elevated veranda minutes before water reached bed level. “The compound turned into a shallow lake,” he reported, adding that no serious injuries occurred during the hasty relocation. Facility and Airstrip…