Author: The South Sudan Herald

Deputy Governor Decree for Western Equatoria Juba’s political corridors buzzed last night after President Salva Kiir appointed Justin Joseph Marona as Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State, replacing Daniel Badgabu Rimbasa. The republican decree, broadcast on state television, marks the second leadership change for the region in twelve months. Who Is Justin Joseph Marona? Until yesterday, Marona chaired the Public Accounts Committee in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, earning recognition for forensic scrutiny of spending reports. Educated in economics at the University of Juba, he joined SPLM-IO in 2014 and survived the 2016 conflict flare-up. Tensions within SPLM-IO His elevation…

Abu Dhabi Accord Signals Financial Upgrade Flags of both nations fluttered over the UAE Central Bank as Governor Dr. Addis Ababa Othow and counterpart Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri inked the memorandum of understanding. Vice-President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel called the signing “a strategic milestone for our young economy.” Secure Payment Rails at the Core The MoU centres on building advanced card-processing infrastructure resilient against fraud. Emirati engineers will share expertise on tokenisation, instant settlement, and cyber-defence, positioning South Sudan’s banks to clear transactions in real time. Boosting Security Printing Capacity Juba currently outsources most currency and document printing. Under the…

Early Morning Gathering in Juba On Saturday 30 August 2025, Juba’s streets will echo to the steady rhythm of hundreds of walkers setting off from All Saints’ Cathedral at 7:00 AM. Organisers expect families, athletes and clergy to cover a scenic route before returning by 9:00 AM. Health Meets Faith and Fitness The Primates’ Health Walk showcases a double objective: promoting physical fitness and reinforcing the cathedral’s role as a social anchor. “Well-being is worship in motion,” says Reverend Samuel Pitia, citing rising lifestyle-related illnesses among urban youth. Building for Generations Funds raised during the 10:00 AM to noon appeal…

Mobile Court Revives Hope in Pibor In the remote Greater Pibor Administrative Area, lawlessness once felt routine. A United Nations–supported mobile court has now broken that pattern, travelling with judges, clerks and police to hear cases where crimes are committed, not in distant capitals. During a four-week sitting, the circuit heard 26 matters, including 16 criminal files linked to cattle raids, child abductions and sexual assaults, convicting five offenders and settling ten land disputes that fuel inter-communal tension. Community Response and Cultural Complexity Elders interviewed outside the tented courtroom said seeing verdicts announced publicly ‘restores broken hearts’ and discourages revenge…

Kiir’s Policy Address Under Scrutiny On 16 July, President Salva Kiir laid out an ambitious roadmap touching the economy, food security, peace dividends and the December 2024 elections, framing it as “a collective contract with our citizens,” according to the official transcript. Attendance Row Stalls Legislative Review When the Select Committee tabled its report on Wednesday, only four of 35 ministers occupied the government benches, prompting SPLM legislator Elizabeth Adut to request adjournment, arguing the house could not interrogate policy without those mandated to implement it. Speaker’s Call for Accountability Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba concurred, directing the parliamentary affairs minister…

A Call Beyond the Ballot Box On the bustling Juba campus, third-year student Chol Alier Dit voiced a measured plea: national progress cannot hinge solely on periodic voting. He told The Dawn that enduring development demands constant civic participation, transparent governance and shared responsibility. Institutions as Pillars of Progress Alier argues elections succeed only when anchored by credible institutions such as legislatures, courts, political parties and an independent electoral commission. Without the rule of law and sound economic policy, he cautions, ballot victories can morph into frustration rather than prosperity. Managing Expectations Among Citizens Fixating on voting dates, he says,…

Wun-Aliet Peacekeeping Training Centre Opens South Sudan officially unveiled the Wun-Aliet Peacekeeping Training Centre on 13 August 2025, marking a decisive investment in professionalising the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces. The facility, northwest of Juba, aims to prepare troops for regional and UN deployments. Top Brass Signal Strategic Priority Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol led senior officers at the ceremony, flanked by Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Rabi Majung. “We expect commitment, resilience and perseverance,” Gen. Dau told 600 recruits, stressing that discipline will shape South Sudan’s international reputation. Community Blessing Strengthens Legitimacy A traditional cleansing ritual by…

Mogiri cattle market attack: latest facts Eight people were killed and eight wounded on 6 August after gunmen stormed Mogiri cattle market in Central Equatoria, shocking traders and residents. Among the dead were six Murle cattle dealers and two soldiers who had escorted the convoy, according to local authorities. Security forces widen search radius Information Minister Jacob Werchum Juok said joint police-military teams are combing Mogiri, Mangala and remote bush tracks believed to hide the raiders. He told reporters the operation aims to detain suspects alive, collect weapons and reconstruct the route used by the attackers. Eyewitness clues and early…

Blueprint for a Digital Marketplace South Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Industry unveiled the nation’s first e-commerce strategy this week in Juba, presenting a roadmap to widen digital access and spur inclusive growth. Empowering MSMEs and Youth Entrepreneurs Officials say the blueprint prioritises micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through digital marketing training, national online marketplaces, and easier links to African Continental Free Trade Area opportunities. Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, Minister of Trade and Industry, argued that equipping entrepreneurs with modern tools can ‘unlock the full potential of our people and markets.’ Bridging Infrastructure Gaps High connectivity costs, unstable power and…

A Quiet Diagnosis, A Loud Resolve Marie*, 49, first learned she was HIV-positive in 2009 at a Brazzaville mobile clinic. The news shocked her, yet she quickly chose resilience. “I will not surrender; my children need me,” she recalls, voice steady after years of counselling support. Shifting Donor Winds and Local Realities For sixteen years she has adhered to antiretroviral therapy supplied through the national programme and partners such as PEPFAR. Recent announcements of reduced external envelopes, however, stirred anxiety in waiting rooms across the country. Health economists note that Congo still depends on donors for roughly half of its…