Author: The South Sudan Herald

Early Warning Signals Intensify Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a respected Juba-based civil society group, says its conflict tracker has logged a sharp rise in armed incidents since April. The curve, according to Executive Director Edmund Yakani, mirrors patterns recorded shortly before the 2016 clashes. He warns that if decision-makers keep trading blame instead of breakthroughs, scattered confrontations could quickly coalesce into a nationwide war spiral, erasing the relative calm many citizens started to rebuild their lives upon. Stalled Peace Deal Under Scrutiny The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, signed in 2018 after years…

Youth Day call in Juba A festive International Youth Day in Juba turned reflective when Youth and Sports Minister Joseph Geng Akech challenged South Sudanese youth to shape the nation’s image and their own futures. Positive social media for national branding Akech urged influencers to spotlight folklore dances, tech hacks and local startups instead of viral feuds, arguing that each responsible post strengthens South Sudan’s cultural diplomacy. Drug abuse threat to demographic dividend The minister painted a stark picture of narcotics eroding productivity, lamenting that illicit pills and cannabis ‘steal classrooms, job sites and talent’, and pledging tighter market surveillance…

A Symbolic Election in Juba The South Sudan Scout Association elected a new executive board in Juba this week, reaffirming Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth as Board Chair and choosing Ladu Saeed as Commissioner General and Jacqueline Ago as his deputy, observers said (Eye Radio, Oct. 2022). Minister Makuei’s Call for Unity Addressing the gathering, Makuei urged the fresh leadership to shun tribal loyalties and bolster the government’s campaign for national cohesion, warning that “political tribalism” continues to undermine state-building efforts. Support Pledged Across State Structures He pledged logistical and policy support from both state and national authorities, describing…

Narrow Loss Ends Perfect Run South Sudan’s Bright Stars slipped 66-64 to Angola in Luanda, surrendering top spot in Afrobasket Group C but retaining widespread respect for their organised defence and late rally. Despite ranking first in FIBA Africa standings, the squad now sits third in the pool behind Guinea, forcing a longer qualification route to the quarter-finals. Deng Issues Rallying Cry Forward Majok Deng saluted Angola’s intensity yet promised a response, stating, “We must match their energy; we will bounce back next game.” His calm assertion echoed in the locker-room minutes after the buzzer. Coach Royal Ivey backed the…

Poetry as a Mirror of Conflict The poem “The enemy stands at the gate” distills a decade of turmoil into haunting images of brothers at war. Its voice resonates beyond literature, spotlighting a nation where mistrust now wounds deeper than any foreign rifle. Artistic testimonies routinely emerge from conflict zones, yet this piece stands out for framing betrayal as an internal moral crisis, compelling readers to confront the intangible front lines within communities. Roots of Fratricidal Violence in South Sudan South Sudan won independence in 2011 amid global applause. By 2013, political rivalry between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar ignited…

Open Letter Sparks Debate An unexpected open letter from Ateny Wek Ateny, once the presidential press secretary, has placed President Salva Kiir in the spotlight, inviting a nationwide conversation about recent high-profile arrests in the capital, Juba. Dated 13 August 2025, Ateny’s nine-page appeal circulates on social media and local newspapers. In it, he respectfully urges the head of state to order the immediate release of businessman Akol Emmanuel Ayii and Major General Akot Lual, both held without formal charges. Profiles of Akol Ayii and Akot Lual Akol, chair of Trinity Energy, oversees interests in fuel distribution, mobile money and…

Historical Parallels Fuel Debate Quiet diplomatic leaks suggest that some Western capitals have floated the idea of relocating a portion of Gaza’s civilian population to South Sudan, a proposal that has landed in Juba’s corridors of power with startling speed. For many South Sudanese, the news evokes memories of their own displacement during decades of civil war, while policymakers weigh regional responsibilities against national fragility. International Law and Self-Determination Law scholars quickly note that the 1970 UN Declaration on Friendly Relations and Resolution 194 enshrine Palestinian rights to self-determination and return, making any forced transfer legally contentious and diplomatically risky.…

Juba Congress Sets the Stage In a tightly-run extraordinary congress in Juba, 38 delegates representing 16 local associations and three statutory committees gathered to vote for a new South Sudan Football Federation leadership covering the 2025-2029 cycle. Observers from CAF and FIFA described the atmosphere as orderly, with ballot boxes kept in full view and counting streamed on internal screens, a first for the young federation. Election Outcome and Key Positions Former SSFF chief Francis Amin Michael returned to the presidency after securing a clear majority. Makur Majok Koryom became first vice-president and Deng Abdelrhaman Guer second vice-president, reflecting an…

Lights Out in Jonglei’s Capital Since Monday, Bor, the dynamic capital of Jonglei State, has been plunged into darkness after its sole diesel-powered station halted for routine maintenance. The unexpected blackout has now stretched into a sixth day, straining households, clinics and the bustling river port economy. Economic Ripple Effects on SMEs Owner Peter Kajobe reports revenue losses as high-capacity printers sit idle in his computer centre. He now relies on a small generator burning costly fuel, shrinking his margins just when schools queue for exam papers. Cold-drink vendors, phone-charging kiosks and tailoring shops echo the complaint. Night-time trade along…

Eastern Equatoria Security Outlook Governor Louis Lobong Lojore says roads are safer, schools reopened and markets revived across Magwi County, arguing that the main triggers of the 2014 exodus are easing thanks to local ceasefire arrangements and joint patrols. Faith Gathering Highlights Hope Speaking during the ordination of three priests and four deacons at Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Loa, the governor used the pulpit to extend his invitation, blending spiritual renewal with social reintegration. Vice-President Josephine Lagu and Environment Minister Josephine Napwon echoed the call, urging congregants to ‘heal the land by returning’ while pledging stronger basic services.…