Author: The South Sudan Herald

Renewed volatility along tri-border corridor Two days of skirmishes have reshaped the security map southwest of Yei, South Sudan, after the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition announced the capture of Lasu and Libogo, settlements lying barely 25 kilometres from the Ugandan and Congolese frontiers. Voices from the ground Phone calls from Yei crackled with reports of sustained gunfire, prompting families to flee towards church compounds and banana groves for shelter. “The shots did not stop for an hour,” recalled trader Mary Sembu, whose stall now stands deserted amid thick silence. Government soldiers in the vicinity declined on-record interviews, yet an army…

Regional Concerns Over Forced Transfers Thirty-one Arab and Islamic foreign ministers issued a joint communique rejecting any plan to uproot Palestinians from Gaza, warning that forcible transfer would breach international law and ignite broader conflict. The communique cautions that displacing civilians could embolden militancy, strain aid corridors and destabilise already fragile borders across the Middle East and Africa. South Sudan’s Role Questioned Regional media reported that Israeli officials sounded out several states, including South Sudan, about receiving Gaza civilians. Juba has not confirmed any approach, yet the speculation has thrust the young nation into an acute Middle-East diplomatic crossfire. South…

Fresh Investment Signals Retail Confidence In the bustling Tong Ping district of Juba, the neon sign of Beijing Supermarket flickered to life last Friday, marking the entry of a new Chinese-South Sudanese retail partnership that promises fresh jobs, deeper supply chains and a rare channel for future exports. Company research suggested Juba offers a near-untapped consumer base compared with Nairobi or Kampala, where Chinese business communities number in the hundreds of thousands, Managing Director Simon He noted, adding that only about 500 Chinese private actors currently operate in South Sudan. Local Workforce at Centre Stage Eighty percent of the supermarket’s…

Rising Pressure on Warring Parties Thirty donor countries—including the EU, Canada, and Japan—issued a rare unified statement urging Sudan’s combatants to protect civilians in North Darfur and Kordofan. The call singles out the Rapid Support Forces, asking them to lift their year-long siege of El Fasher. Diplomats frame the appeal as an urgent humanitarian measure rather than political intervention, echoing earlier Security Council language that demands unimpeded aid flows throughout Sudan’s conflict zones. Siege Deepens Humanitarian Crisis El Fasher, the last North Darfur capital still under Sudanese Armed Forces control, has been encircled by RSF fighters since mid-2024. Trade routes…

Grassroots Momentum Builds Over a fortnight, residents of Mankien and surrounding payams handed over more than one hundred rifles, pistols and AK-47s, responding to a call from local chiefs and administrators who cited resolutions of last month’s county-level peace forum. Governor Riek Bim Top presided at the collection ceremony, praising volunteers while urging officials to widen the campaign beyond main roads before seasonal floods cut access. Security Context in Greater Upper Nile Unity State, in the oil-rich Greater Upper Nile, has long battled cattle raids, revenge killings, and an influx of small arms dating back to the 2013-18 civil war,…

Regional Context in Northern Bahr el Ghazal Northern Bahr el Ghazal, bordering Sudan, has long relied on informal trade and seasonal cattle movement. Yet persistent customs bottlenecks and sporadic insecurity have slowed growth across the five counties. Forum Logistics and Representation On 18 August, the state capital Aweil will host sixty delegates drawn equally from every county, including paramount chiefs, women leaders, planners and commissioners. Information Minister Gabriel Deng Yel says the gathering offers ‘a single table for reviewing performance and harmonising plans with national policy.’ Cross-Border Trade and Security Much of the agenda targets the busy frontier with Sudan,…

Heavy Rains Swell the Nile in Jonglei Unrelenting downpours since early September have left Twic East County submerged. Commissioner Juach Arok Juach reports more than 10,000 households in the county seat and nearby payams battling floodwater as the White Nile and surrounding swamps steadily rise. Families Displaced to Highland Pockets Many families have retreated to slender strips of highland around the Jonglei Canal, sharing space with 3,000 internally displaced households who arrived after earlier clashes in northern Jonglei, according to the commissioner. Mounting Health Concerns for Children Health workers warn of a spike in malaria, water-borne illnesses and mosquito infestations…

New Governor Takes Oath in Juba Governor James Altaib Berapai and Deputy Governor Justin Joseph Marona were sworn in at State House, Juba, ending a six-month vacancy in Western Equatoria’s top office. President Salva Kiir officiated the brief but closely watched ceremony attended by cabinet, clergy and foreign observers. Political Backdrop to the Appointment Berapai, aligned with the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, replaces Alfred Futuyo, an SPLM-IO figure removed in February. Observers note the pick diverges from the peace agreement’s power-sharing formula, yet Juba argues the choice ensures prompt governance amid persistent instability. Presidential Mandate for Stability Kiir urged…

Border Attacks Alarm Northern Bahr el Ghazal Persistent ambushes and cattle raids along the Sudanese frontier have jolted Northern Bahr el Ghazal’s tranquil reputation. In early August, a businessman was fatally shot on the Majok-Wanyjok road, underscoring a crime wave that lawmakers say can no longer be ignored. Assembly Summons Security Leadership The state transitional legislature has ordered county commissioners, Aweil town’s mayor, the police commissioner and the minister of local government to appear before the house next week. Speaker Simon Kuol said the officials must clarify the factors fueling cross-border violence and outline swift remedies. Trade Disrupted, Markets Nervous…

New Leadership Takes Oath Inside the crowded presidential hall in Juba, James Altaib Berapai and his deputy, Justin Joseph Marona, raised their right hands and pledged service before President Salva Kiir. Kiir reminded them that stability, not ceremony, would define their tenure, stressing that citizens in Yambio, Tambura and Ibba crave safety more than speeches. Escalating Violence in Western Equatoria The state has recorded a spike in targeted killings and road ambushes since February, following the dismissal of the previous governor, according to a statement from the Office of the President. Local activists report that commercial trucks now travel in…