Author: The South Sudan Herald

New Governor Takes Oath in Juba Governor James Altaib Berapai and Deputy Governor Justin Joseph Marona were sworn in at State House, Juba, ending a six-month vacancy in Western Equatoria’s top office. President Salva Kiir officiated the brief but closely watched ceremony attended by cabinet, clergy and foreign observers. Political Backdrop to the Appointment Berapai, aligned with the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, replaces Alfred Futuyo, an SPLM-IO figure removed in February. Observers note the pick diverges from the peace agreement’s power-sharing formula, yet Juba argues the choice ensures prompt governance amid persistent instability. Presidential Mandate for Stability Kiir urged…

Border Attacks Alarm Northern Bahr el Ghazal Persistent ambushes and cattle raids along the Sudanese frontier have jolted Northern Bahr el Ghazal’s tranquil reputation. In early August, a businessman was fatally shot on the Majok-Wanyjok road, underscoring a crime wave that lawmakers say can no longer be ignored. Assembly Summons Security Leadership The state transitional legislature has ordered county commissioners, Aweil town’s mayor, the police commissioner and the minister of local government to appear before the house next week. Speaker Simon Kuol said the officials must clarify the factors fueling cross-border violence and outline swift remedies. Trade Disrupted, Markets Nervous…

New Leadership Takes Oath Inside the crowded presidential hall in Juba, James Altaib Berapai and his deputy, Justin Joseph Marona, raised their right hands and pledged service before President Salva Kiir. Kiir reminded them that stability, not ceremony, would define their tenure, stressing that citizens in Yambio, Tambura and Ibba crave safety more than speeches. Escalating Violence in Western Equatoria The state has recorded a spike in targeted killings and road ambushes since February, following the dismissal of the previous governor, according to a statement from the Office of the President. Local activists report that commercial trucks now travel in…

Sudan-Pakistan Deal Reaches US$1.5 Billion Khartoum confirmed that its Military Industry Corporation signed what insiders describe as a US$1.5 billion procurement package in Islamabad, sealed after meetings between Lieutenant General Pilot Al-Tahir Mohamed Al-Awad Al-Amin and Pakistan’s defense leadership (ProPakistani). Jets, Drones and Air-Defense Assets The order reportedly covers ten K-8 trainer-attack aircraft, several classes of unmanned aerial vehicles including Shahpar-2 and Ababeel-5, new engines for ageing MiG-21s, Mohafiz armored vehicles, and HQ-series surface-to-air missiles. Pakistani officials have not publicly disclosed delivery schedules. Financing Puzzle Spurs Speculation Regional analysts argue the cash-strapped Sudanese army is unlikely to self-fund such a…

Rampant Looting Alarms Authorities Drivers hauling sorghum, fuel and cement along the 210-kilometre Wau-Tonj corridor say ambushes have intensified since early May, with armed groups stripping trucks and passengers within minutes, sometimes in daylight. Local trading unions recorded at least seven incidents last month alone, pushing transport premiums up by 30 percent and forcing small traders to suspend deliveries to remote cattle camps. Governor Okello’s Security Directive Addressing farmers in Nyiwara during the handover of an FAO-built centre, Governor Emmanuel Primo Okello pledged ‘swift, coordinated action’ to restore confidence on the road. “This road carries our lifeline,” he told the…

Sudan Opposition Transfers Youths to UN Mission On Monday, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition handed seventeen youths to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in Malakal, ending weeks of uncertainty for families in the capital, Juba. SPLM-IO commanders say the group, some as young as fifteen, escaped forced enlistment into the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces after a June security sweep in the city’s Shirkat suburb (Standard Zone News). Escape from Forced Conscription Eyewitnesses recount that security personnel chartered a military aircraft that ferried the detainees north, where they allegedly underwent hurried basic training at Gel-achel camp in Baliet…

Border Alert in Kajo-Keji County Reports of Uganda People’s Defence Force units crossing into Kajo-Keji County last week jolted officials in Central Equatoria, reviving memories of prior border frictions. The state cabinet convened urgently, branding the move a sovereignty breach demanding swift, calibrated action. Kampala–Juba Diplomacy in Focus Juba has historically balanced firm rhetoric with pragmatic outreach to Kampala. Officials signal they favour a diplomatic corridor, citing the 2019 bilateral commission that resolved a similar standoff without escalating troop deployments or disrupting vital trade along the Yei-Moyo road. Voices from Central Equatoria Government “Peaceful dialogue should be expedited,” Acting Information…

Youth Ministry Sets Ambitious Sports Agenda Standing before delegates in Juba, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Joseph Geng Akech pledged a sweeping policy to transform South Sudan’s vibrant but fragmented community tournaments into stepping-stones for professional leagues. He told the South Sudan Football Federation’s extraordinary congress that new guidelines will anchor grassroots rivalry within state-run academies and registered clubs, opening predictable career paths for young athletes. Value of Grassroots Rivalry Neighbourhood tournaments attract thousands, nurture raw talent and often double as peace dialogues in a country still healing from conflict. Local chiefs cite the events’ ability to unite clans under…

Exclusive Breastfeeding: Still the Gold Standard Health authorities in Juba continue to label exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months as the safest nutrition strategy for infants, strengthening immunity and reducing household medical costs. Dr. Mary Lado of the Ministry of Health notes that breast milk adapts to a baby’s changing needs, calling it “dynamic living tissue unmatched by substitutes” (Ministry of Health). Safe Expression and Storage Techniques Nutrition officer Elizabeth Athanasius advises mothers to wash hands, use sterile transparent containers, and express milk before leaving home so caregivers can feed the infant through the day (World Vision). Jackline Phanuel,…

Solar Energy Lights Up Health HQ The Ministry of Health in Brazzaville switched on a 100-kilowatt solar array this week, marking the first time its headquarters can operate entirely off-grid during power cuts. The system, supplied by the United Nations Development Programme, dovetails with Congo’s climate targets. Health officials say refrigeration for vaccines, electronic medical records and disease surveillance servers will now run without interruptions, a chronic challenge in a city that still experiences load shedding. Strategic Health Governance Boost “Reliable electricity translates into reliable data,” noted Minister of Health Gilbert Mokoki during the commissioning ceremony. He argued that uninterrupted…