Author: The South Sudan Herald

Seventieth Liberation Anniversary Reflections A drizzle cooled the crowd outside St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba as bells marked the 70th anniversary of South Sudan’s liberation struggle. Leading the liturgy, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu lifted a prayer that blended scripture with modern diplomacy, asking God to plant “seeds of disarmament” in the nation’s politics. Religious Leadership Reinforces Non-Violence Agenda He quoted Pope Francis, reminding worshippers that genuine development flourishes only where weapons fall silent, a message echoing through pews packed with veterans and schoolchildren. “Those who once carried rifles may now carry textbooks,” the prelate said, urging political factions to swap grievances…

Historic stride in Gulf outreach Touching down in Juba after a three-day mission to the United Arab Emirates, Vice-President for the Economic Cluster Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel portrayed the trip as a watershed for South Sudan’s young economy, bridging capital-hungry sectors with Gulf liquidity. Diplomacy fuels economic cluster growth Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba told reporters the mission followed up on President Salva Kiir’s June engagement with Abu Dhabi and “aimed to deepen cooperation in oil, agriculture, banking, trade and infrastructure,” echoing Kiir’s directive to accelerate economic diversification. VP Bol Mel also handed a personal letter from President Kiir to…

Legal Directive Extends Armed Forces Act General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has ordered every armed group supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces to operate under the 2007 Armed Forces Act, specifically Articles 14 and 52. The army described the measure as reinforcing rule of law and tightening command control. The announcement, released from Port Sudan on 17 August, coincided with a wave of promotions and retirements among senior officers, signalling an effort to align legal change with refreshed leadership during the protracted battle against the Rapid Support Forces. Analysts Predict Shifts in Chain of Command Military scholars argue that formally absorbing more…

Aid Announcement Sends Ripples Israel’s new foreign minister Gideon Saar told reporters in Tel Aviv that a convoy of food, water purifiers and medical kits will depart “within days” for Juba. He framed the move as “a moral duty and a bridge of friendship” between the two nations. South Sudan’s Humanitarian Landscape According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, over 9 million South Sudanese rely on assistance after flood-driven crop losses and sporadic clashes. Fuel shortages and a depreciating pound have strained local clinics, making external support particularly valuable this dry season. Gaza Crisis Echoes…

International Youth Day Sets Ambitious Agenda Rock City Playing Ground buzzed as thousands marked International Youth Day in Juba. Minister of Youth and Sports Dr Joseph Geng Aketch urged his audience to trade rifles for textbooks, calling education the lodestar of a “second liberation” aimed at lasting prosperity. “The future rests on your shoulders; seize it with knowledge and solidarity,” he told the crowd, echoing liberation-era rhetoric while emphasising peace. His remarks resonated with a demographic that accounts for nearly three-quarters of South Sudan’s population. Education Framed as the New Battlefield Dr Geng described classrooms as modern trenches, insisting that…

Historic First Graduation in Magwi Magwi County’s newest seat of learning marked an historic moment as Magwi College of Agribusiness and Management Sciences capped its inaugural cohort of 37 diploma holders last Saturday. Among the graduates were 11 women and 26 men specialising in crop production, business administration, and human nutrition, each completing rigorous research projects and fieldwork. Hands-On Curriculum Targets Job Creation MCAMS blends classroom teaching with community plots, small business simulations and internships, aiming to convert theory into enterprise. Principal Prof. Salah Edward Dario reminded students that diplomas are tools, stating, “The community expects you to be agents…

Gang Rape Sparks Outrage in Lakes State Eight men are in custody after a 10-year-old girl was gang-raped in Luakluak payam, Yirol West County, on 13 August, according to police. Major General James Monday Enoka confirmed the arrests and vowed a thorough investigation. Swift Police Response Officers moved quickly, detaining all suspects within hours of the assault, aided by community tips and phone tracking, Enoka said. He praised local chiefs for cooperating with investigators and urged the public to report any act of violence without fear. Medical and Psychological Support for the Victim The child is receiving emergency treatment at…

From Balfour to Juba: Historical Echoes When the Balfour Declaration was typed in 1917, few foresaw a century of upheaval. Policy crafted for distant interests reshaped borders, identities, and memories. Juba’s leaders now face choices that could echo that history, stretching consequences far beyond the signatures they ink today. Diplomatic Whispers and Public Silence Reports in Israeli and regional newspapers suggest exploratory talks about relocating thousands of Palestinian refugees to South Sudan. The foreign ministry issued a brief denial, yet offered no transcript, no timetable, and no parliamentary briefing. Transparency, argue legal scholars in Juba, is national insurance. Longest Border,…

Seasoned Journalist Takes Charge John Madol Panther officially assumed the Managing Director’s chair at South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation on Monday, sealing a presidential decree issued last week. The former news editor has spent two decades at the national broadcaster, earning a reputation for calm leadership and newsroom innovation. Election Preparation and Public Trust South Sudan plans its first general elections in December 2026, a milestone in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict. Panther told reporters that SSBC will ‘serve every party equally and keep citizens informed at all stages,’ a pledge welcomed by civil society monitors. Technological…

Historic Torit Prayer Season Seventy days of nationwide prayer concluded in Torit, commemorating the 1955 mutiny that ignited South Sudan’s first civil war. The South Sudan Council of Churches gathered worshippers under the theme “Fulfil Your Good Promises, Oh Lord,” blending historical remembrance with hopes for stability. Governor Lobong’s Call for Quiet Counsel Governor Louis Lobong praised the campaign as a sacred space for unity and forgiveness, yet cautioned church leaders against pulpit rebukes. He argued that confidential meetings in offices or homes encourage officials to listen, while public sermons risk hardening ears and deepening political trenches. Church Response and…