Author: The South Sudan Herald

County Commissioners Forum Malakal Malakal is hosting all 13 county commissioners of Upper Nile State for the second county forum, a three-day meeting scheduled from 1 September. Governor James Koang Chuol confirmed their arrival Sunday morning, stating that logistical preparations, including accommodation and conference facilities, had been finalised to international partners’ satisfaction. Security and Service Delivery in Spotlight Each commissioner is expected to present a detailed report on local security conditions, road connectivity, health posts and economic activity, offering the administration its first state-wide dataset since early 2023. Officials say particular attention will be given to areas recently affected by…

Dialogue Venue and Participants Kuda’s quiet riverside became a negotiation table this week as pastoralists from Terekeka County met cultivators from Juba County. Moderated by state officials, the gathering sought to defuse a pattern of seasonal clashes that had strained local livelihoods (Eye Radio, August 2025). Framework for Coexistence Delegates adopted a rule that herders must secure prior consent from host villages before moving cattle onto farmland. They also mapped dedicated grazing corridors equipped with nearby water points, a move expected to protect both harvests and herds. Justice and Security Measures Special mobile courts backed by community police will adjudicate…

Rumours ignite administrative anxiety Whispers of a separate coordination office for Makal County in Malakal have unsettled residents. The state capital already houses county functions, so any relocation feels redundant to many locals. Uncertainty now clouds an area that had enjoyed relative calm. Community leaders demand transparency “Malakal is part of Makal County; another office makes no sense,” argued Kobfer Amum during an interview. He said a delegation seeking clarification met armed security outside Commissioner Michael Othow Bol’s residence, which they perceived as intimidation. Boundary questions fuel youthful concern Youth representative Simon Nyareth Ayik stressed that clear lines between Malakal…

East Africa’s Packed Electoral Calendar Campaign posters are already appearing across East Africa. Tanzania votes in October, Uganda follows in January 2026, and Kenya lines up for 2027. Within this crowded calendar, South Sudan has chosen to pause, pushing its first national polls to 2026. Juba’s decision, announced by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, extends the current mandate and seeks breathing space to tackle unfinished state-building tasks viewed as essential for a credible ballot. Postponement Aimed at Stability Officials portray the delay as preventive medicine. Ambassador Santino Fardol W. Dicken argues that rushing to the polls without a…

Couple Gunned Down in Bavuru Local officials report that Edward Gbondo, an Azande farmer, and his Balanda wife, Adali Elizabeth, were fatally shot inside their Bavuru home late Wednesday. Eyewitnesses recount that gunmen burst into the Nagito area at about 11 p.m., opened fire, and vanished into surrounding bushland before help could arrive. Violence Upsets Fragile Calm Road ambushes and targeted attacks have marred Tombura County for two months, uprooting families from Nagero, Boo, and Tombura and eroding a period of relative peace. Observers warn that each strike deepens fear and mistrust among communities already scarred by past clashes. Residents…

German Delegation Welcomed in Juba Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede met BTECH Germany Technologies and Central Equatoria State Business Union leaders, pledging full governmental support (Eye Radio, Aug 2025). The visit signals renewed European interest in South Sudan’s emerging consumer and infrastructure markets. Open-Door Investment Policy Highlighted Obede stressed that Central Equatoria embraces an open-door approach to foreign capital. He argued that operating from Juba grants firms nationwide reach, citing stable provincial regulations and a fast-growing urban population demanding reliable goods and services. Strategic Advantage of the Juba Hub Bordered by key transport corridors, Central Equatoria channels imports to all…

South Sudan Parliament Summons Vice President The Transitional National Legislative Assembly in Juba has voted to summon Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel Akol, signaling a rare exercise of constitutional oversight aimed at clarifying allegations of economic mismanagement, security overreach and questionable use of public finances. Security Controversies Under Scrutiny Lawmakers referenced the 2014 Nasir episode, claiming vice-presidential interference influenced military deployment and escalated local conflict, an assertion they say falls under Article 55(3) oversight provisions and deserves formal clarification from the executive branch. MPs further allege that Ugandan troops were briefly housed on Dr. Bol Mel’s private farmland, a…

Minister Announces Juba Ban The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, announced that community football tournaments will be suspended in Juba from 2025, citing repeated fan violence that has overshadowed recent fixtures. He confirmed the ongoing peace cup in the capital would finish without disruption, stressing that any change now would punish teams that have invested time and money. Buluk Playground Incident Recapped Tension escalated after officials were assaulted at Buluk Playground during a heated match between Tonj North and Awerial earlier this month. The South Sudan Football Federation reacted by withdrawing all national and international referees…

Juba Court Delay Stirs Concern An eagerly awaited ruling in the dispute between UAP Insurance South Sudan and a group of dismissed local employees was postponed on Monday after the presiding judge admitted misplacing key documents. The decision adds one more twist to a case already marked by repeated adjournments and changes on the bench. Shifting Judicial Bench Adds Complexity Initially overseen by Judge Francis Amum, the file moved to Judge Peter Muzemel following a routine transfer within the judiciary, according to counsel Marko Reech, who speaks for the former staff. Reech said Muzemel scheduled 29 August for the ruling…

A Call for Adaptive Regulation In Juba, Bank of South Sudan Governor Dr. Addis Ababa Othow urged regulators to ease stringent rules that, he argues, restrain mobile money and microfinance growth. Salary Accounts and Inclusion Linking salaries to bank accounts, the governor said, could expand consumer loans and encourage households to plan for the future, turning payroll systems into gateways for wider financial access. Building Rural Networks Dr. Othow called for telecom operators, banks, and development partners to pool resources, cut service costs, and extend agent networks deep into rural counties where cash still dominates daily trade. Stakeholder Voices at…