Author: The South Sudan Herald

Border Incident Sparks Concern On 28 July, residents of Kangapo II Payam in South Sudan’s Kajo-Keji County awoke to what local officials describe as an unexpected presence of Ugandan People’s Defence Force troops. The state government quickly branded the event a breach of sovereignty. Government Calls For Calm Dialogue Meeting in Juba, Governor Emmanuel’s cabinet urged the national authorities to activate diplomatic channels before the situation hardens. Acting information minister Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado emphasized that, “peaceful dialogue should be expedited to address this issue within the shortest time possible.” His appeal aligns with last week’s creation of a joint investigation…

Rising Juvenile Cases in Juba At Juba National Prison, rows of teenagers study behind high walls, a picture that troubles social workers who track juvenile detention across Central Equatoria. Advocates report that theft, street fights and parental disputes are the main reasons hundreds of minors end up incarcerated. The Rule of Law Forum, a civil-society coalition, estimates that more than 1,000 juveniles are held nationwide, with Juba, Wau and Rumbek facilities routinely operating above capacity. Root Causes: Drugs, Poverty, Peer Pressure Gima Robert of the Road to Economic Development Organisation blames a toxic mix of cheap narcotics, peer influence and…

National Sports Strategy Gains Momentum At the South Sudan Football Federation congress in Juba, Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Joseph Geng Akech unveiled plans to align popular community tournaments with formal state systems, declaring that “the real pathway to international play is through academies and clubs.” Community Tournaments Under Review Grass-roots competitions have flourished as peace-building events, yet officials note uneven rules, limited coaching, and occasional crowd violence that hamper talent growth. The ministry will now license events through state federations, establishing calendars, age brackets, and coaching standards. Dr. Geng argued that coherent pathways can lift the country’s FIFA…

Citizenship Initiative in Abyei Port Sudan’s transitional authorities are granting Sudanese nationality to thousands of Ngok Dinka families residing in the hotly disputed Abyei enclave. Officials say the move clarifies civil status for people long caught between two states, yet critics view it as a wartime enlistment drive. Strategic Calculations Amid Protracted War Since clashes with the Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023, the national army has struggled to secure manpower and supply lines across the oil-rich borderlands. Analysts argue that new Ngok recruits could reinforce SAF positions near Nyala and create a voter pool favorable to Khartoum should…

Decrees Prompt SPLM-IO Outcry President Salva Kiir signed a cluster of decrees on 13 August removing eight SPLM-IO figures from parliament, the cabinet and Upper Nile State. The move gained momentum after earlier dismissals on 6 August, sparking sharp response from the opposition movement. Eng. Joseph Malwal Dong called the expulsions “a blatant breach” of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement, demanding immediate reinstatement. The Political Bureau warned unilateral decisions risk reversing fragile gains achieved since the 2020 formation of the unity government. Government’s Position Presidential press secretary Ateny Wek Ateny told national radio the dismissals were “purely administrative and constitutional,” arguing…

Election Day in Financial Hub Juba’s financial district hosted an unusually spirited gathering on Tuesday, as the South Sudan Football Federation summoned delegates to decide its next leader. Profiles of the Two Contenders Incumbent Augustino Maduot Parek, credited with steadying league operations, squares off against former chairman Francis Amin Michael, who promises faster youth development and corporate partnerships. How the Ballot Is Run Thirty-eight accredited voters from sixteen local associations, the women’s committee, referees and coaches were verified by 9 a.m., each handed a sealed ballot and reminded of strict one-member, one-vote rules. Eyes of the World on Juba Observers…

Rising Voice from Upper Nile University At a dusty cattle camp near Malakal, fifth-year veterinary student Acirin Madong pauses beside shuffling bulls and speaks calmly. He urges herders to see vaccines as shields, not threats, a message he repeats during outreach tours organised by Upper Nile University and local authorities. His campaign counters a belief, common across South Sudan, that injections shrink milk yields or cause sudden deaths. ‘Evidence shows the opposite,’ he tells The Dawn, referencing recent field trials. Science Behind the Syringe Vaccines stimulate antibodies, creating herd immunity that blocks killer infections like contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and East…

Civil Society Alliance Raises Alarm on Peace Delay The South Sudan Civil Society Alliance has urged signatories to the 2018 revitalised peace agreement to clear outstanding tasks before the extended timetable collapses. Deputy chairperson Dabek Mabior told reporters in Juba that dialogue, not recrimination, is the only path to unlock the stalled provisions and reassure a restless public. Funding Security Arrangements Remains Critical Mabior called on the transitional government to release funds for the long-promised unification of forces, noting that integrated command structures would calm flashpoints and build voter confidence ahead of elections. He equally appealed for budget lines to…

Nationwide MCV2 Launch Strengthens Immunity South Sudan formally introduced the second dose of the Measles-Containing Vaccine, MCV2, into its routine schedule on 12 August 2025. The step positions the nation as the 45th in Africa to adopt the two-shot regimen recommended by the World Health Organization. Health Minister Sarah Cleto highlighted the stakes, noting that nearly nine in ten counties remain at high risk for outbreaks. “Adding MCV2 significantly fortifies our children’s defences,” she told reporters, pledging fixed-post, outreach and mobile services to push coverage. Recurrent Outbreaks Underscore Urgency A 2025 risk assessment showed low routine coverage and surveillance gaps…

South Sudan-UAE MoU Signals Digital Leap Last week in Abu Dhabi, the Bank of South Sudan and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to build a secure national switch for card payments and to accelerate digital banking services across the world’s youngest nation. “The pact foresees faster transactions, broader inclusion and training for our bankers,” Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel told reporters after witnessing the ceremony in Juba. Shared Gains for Central African Markets Analysts in Brazzaville note that a modern switch in Juba can reduce cross-border settlement delays with neighbouring Congo…