Author: The South Sudan Herald

South Sudanese Countdown to 2026 Elections A decade after independence, South Sudan still awaits its first competitive poll. The revised date, 22 December 2026, serves as both deadline and test for a fragile nation seeking democratic legitimacy. Adjusted Election Timetable After two postponements, South Sudan now eyes 22 December 2026 for its first general election since independence. The National Elections Commission, citing logistical setbacks, says the extra time secures essential steps like a permanent constitution and census. Government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth maintains the date is realistic, arguing the timetable reflects ‘lessons learned’ from earlier delays and signals commitment to…

Unexpected stopover in Juba When seven third-country nationals landed in Juba after a July 5, 2025 deportation flight from the United States, South Sudan suddenly found itself custodian of travellers whose final destinations lay elsewhere. On 6 September, cameras captured Mexican citizen Jesus Munoz Gutierrez boarding a return flight, closing a chapter that tested Juba’s still-young diplomatic playbook. Coordinated diplomacy in action Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayan told reporters the ministry “worked around the clock” to process travel documents, underscoring the institution’s growing administrative muscle. His counterpart, Ambassador-designate Alejandro Estevil Castro, praised the “very close cooperation” that allowed…

Historic first visit to Torit Presidential Envoy for Special Programs Adut Salva Kiir chose Torit for her maiden tour on 5 September, underscoring Eastern Equatoria’s historic role in South Sudan’s nation-building narrative. Crowds lined the streets as she called the stop a “big step” in her new mandate. Direct pipeline to the President Addressing residents, Adut stressed that the trip was more than protocol; it aimed to capture community grievances firsthand and funnel them to Juba without delay. She vowed to present a detailed dossier to President Salva Kiir and return with feedback, saying priorities would be “listed, labeled and…

Opening Signal for Youth Leadership In Juba, a high-level roundtable on the Youth, Peace and Security agenda opened by urging South Sudan’s young citizens to spearhead reconciliation, echoing UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and setting an assertive tone for the two-day forum. South Sudan’s Youth Majority as a Peace Asset Ministry of Youth and Sports official Diang Bichok Goah reminded delegates that more than seventy percent of the population is under thirty, framing the demographic surge as a strategic resource rather than a challenge. Young Voices Demand Skills and Protection Thess Marial Rong, representing the National Youth Union, argued that…

Rising Crime Challenges in Juba Central Equatoria has witnessed a worrying uptick in suicide cases, petty theft, gang-related skirmishes, and armed robberies over recent months, according to state security briefs. Residents say nightlife in certain suburbs now ends earlier because of fear. Police sources credit porous neighbourhood patrols and lingering economic pressures for the spike. However, officials insist the trend can be reversed through coordinated civil-authority action. Governor Mujung’s Security Blueprint “We should join hands as citizens and government because security requires collective efforts,” Governor Mujung told worshippers at Hai Malakia Mosque on 5 September. The governor framed safety as…

Rising Youth Advocacy Standing before students in Juba, activist Jockino Samuel Futu described a stark paradox. During war, he observed, youth fill eighty to ninety percent of the front lines. Yet, once calm returns, their presence in negotiation rooms shrinks dramatically. He urged governments to widen decision-making tables, insisting youthful voices can refine policy and cement durable peace. Numbers Behind the Leadership Gap Futu cited current quotas reserving only twenty percent of leadership seats for youth, contrasted with thirty-five percent for women. The imbalance, he argued, feels tokenistic given that young people constitute roughly seventy percent of the national population.…

Border Surveillance Intensifies South Sudan’s Health Ministry has deployed health workers to key crossings and airports, checking temperatures and registering arrivals in response to the Ebola cases confirmed in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Coordination with WHO and Partners Officials say the response plan is being drafted in concert with the World Health Organization, with joint teams mapping potential transit routes to stop the virus at the frontier. Public Advice on Preventive Steps Authorities urge anyone experiencing fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek care or call the national hotline 6666, emphasising that early detection sharply improves survival. Citizens…

Clement Mboro Bridge Overview In May 2024, the Clement Mboro Bridge opened across the Jur River in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal. Built by Chinese engineers, the steel span replaces an aging crossing, allowing 40-tonne trucks to roll safely between Juba, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity and Western Equatoria. The older Jur River Bridge now handles lighter vehicles, easing congestion and offering redundancy during floods. State Minister for Roads Julio Bensncio Mongo calls the new structure a landmark achievement and a visible outcome of China–South Sudan cooperation. China–South Sudan Partnership Deepens Officials highlight the project as the latest chapter…

Origins of the Controversy Juba’s political circles were jolted by reports that senior officials discussed hosting a limited number of Gaza residents, allegedly during meetings with an Israeli delegation (Radio Tamazuj). The government swiftly denied any formal offer, yet public curiosity turned into heated conversation. Sanctions and Diplomatic Leverage Observers note that South Sudan still faces a UN arms embargo and targeted US sanctions. Analysts suggest that floating humanitarian proposals could be interpreted as a bid to soften external pressure. Officials publicly reject that link, stressing that foreign policy remains guided by “purely humanitarian principles.” Public Sensitivities Run Deep Citizens…

Bor Witchcraft Arrest Details Police in Bor, Jonglei State, detained Ugandan national Jennifer, 45, after neighbours alleged she practised witchcraft inside her Pariak Boma home. Evidence Seized by Jonglei Police Col. Deng Nhial Yuang says officers seized seven traditional smoke pipes and assorted charms considered ritual tools, now stored as evidence. Government View on Harmful Rituals Bor Mayor Jacob Achiek Machar Ayuen-Mawer visited the cell, stressing that faith is respected but practices deemed harmful can trigger prosecution. “We cannot let fear unsettle our communities,” he told local radio, urging citizens to report suspicious rituals promptly. Public Reaction and Legal Gray…