Author: The South Sudan Herald

A Graduate’s Bold Pivot Gal Gony Gatluak holds an accounting degree from Mekane Yesus Management and Leadership College, yet his office today is a roadside stall piled high with charcoal sacks. He launched the venture on 1st July 2025 with five bags, wagering that perseverance, not job boards, would secure his livelihood. Economics of the Black Gold In Juba’s Suk Harnab market, a large sack now costs suppliers 50,000 SSP, forcing Gatluak to retail smaller bundles at 2,000 SSP to remain accessible. He tracks prices like an analyst, noting last month’s bundle price of 1,500 SSP, evidence of inflation driven…

Nimule Border Officers Flag Contaminated Cargo Three Ugandan trucks loaded with maize grain, flour, and beans were halted at Nimule this week after South Sudan’s National Bureau of Standards declared the cargo unfit for human consumption. Laboratory screens found aflatoxin levels beyond regional thresholds and live insect infestation. Scientific Tests Confirm Public Health Hazard SSNBS chief analyst Peter Othong said the maize samples exceeded the 10-parts-per-billion ceiling set by East African Standards, describing the crop as “a direct threat to consumer safety.” Beans carried weevils, compromising both nutrition value and shelf life. Round-the-Clock Surveillance Gains Momentum In a published note,…

Final Whistle Echoes Across Juba Saturday evening at Buluk Playground, Juba, ended in exhilaration as Twic Mayardit edged Tonj North 2–1, lifting the third Warrap State Peace Tournament trophy. The sold-out crowd of students, civil servants and soldiers erupted, sensing significance beyond football. An early Twic strike, a Tonj equaliser and a late decider kept suspense alive until the referee’s final blast. Players embraced opponents in a symbolic huddle, reminding spectators that the contest was organised to mend, not widen, local rifts. Sport as a Bridge for Warrap Communities Since its launch in 2021, the Warrap Peace Tournament has paired…

Fans Unite for Healthcare Support Buluk playground buzzed on Saturday as Arsenal and Liverpool supporter clubs from Juba met for a friendly yet purposeful fixture. The event was designed to gather donations of medicines, equipment and cash for Al Shabab Children’s Hospital and Juba Teaching Hospital, institutions often stretched by rising demand. Match Highlights Captivate Juba Arsenal fans struck first through striker Lado Abdallah after 18 minutes, unleashing cheers across the stands. Liverpool equalised before half-time via Deng Garang’s deft finish. The decider arrived late, midfielder Emmanuel Wani curling home a free-kick that sealed a 2–1 triumph for the Gunners…

Surprise Upset in Nyakuron Ballot Delegates gathered inside Nyakuron Cultural Centre on Saturday delivered a shock result, handing 191 votes to Dada Isaac Lemi and only 102 to veteran MP Jacob Aligo Lo-Ladu, long considered the favourite for the Kakwa community chair. Quiet applause replaced campaign drums as officials of the electoral board declared the outcome within minutes, underscoring the peaceful tone that has usually characterised community polls even as national elections remain pending in South Sudan. Campaign Messages over Money Observers said Lemi’s manifesto, centred on transparent finances and youth mentorship, resonated more than the logistical muscle of his…

Viral Assault Sparks National Outrage A disturbing video showing intoxicated youths raping a 16-year-old rival in Juba’s Sherikat district circulated online in June, jolting a war-weary nation. The clip ignited public fury and renewed scrutiny of South Sudan’s expanding street gangs. Police Crackdown and Conscription Claims Authorities responded with mass arrests, detaining more than 600 young people; over half were later released without charge, fuelling allegations of a heavy-handed approach. Lawmakers and activists claim some detainees were forcibly conscripted into the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and transported north to frontline bases, accusations officials deny. Conflict’s Legacy Fuels Youth Violence…

Fresh Tensions in Yei County Gunfire rattled Yei River County shortly after dawn on Saturday, resuming a conflict many hoped was buried (The Dawn). By nightfall, officials confirmed at least 17 uniformed personnel were killed during battles between rival signatories to South Sudan’s peace deal. Inside the 17-Fatality Confrontation Army spokespersons give conflicting versions, yet witnesses agree the first shots came from a joint SPLA-IO and NAS-TC column targeting SSPDF posts in Lasu and Libogo. Col. Lam Paul Gabriel later said his forces overran both camps, capturing a mortar, rifles and a military pickup. SSPDF officers declined to confirm losses,…

Grassroots Drive to Finish County HQ Commissioner Zacharia Malual Anyuon has appealed to citizens, businesses and the diaspora to raise the remaining 54 million South Sudanese Pounds needed to roof and finish Rumbek East’s county headquarters, after spending 9 million SSP on a reinforced concrete foundation. Why the Office Matters for Rumbek East The planned double-storey office is designed to outlast generations; only cosmetic features such as paint, doors and windows will change, Anyuon told The Dawn, framing the building as a century-long asset and a rallying point for collective responsibility. Community Contributions and Land Incentives Contributors are being offered…

Elections and Sustainable Development Research by African Development Bank suggests that nations holding regular, trusted polls enjoy faster GDP growth, partly because investors read ballots as stability signals (AfDB, 2023). UNDP data show that access to electricity and paved roads often doubles within a decade after the first competitive vote, highlighting how political legitimacy can unlock both domestic revenues and concessional finance. Student Voices on the Ground In Juba, master’s candidate John Arop told The Dawn that elections prompt leaders to ‘keep their promises on hospitals, schools, and roads,’ because failure risks defeat at the next ballot. He recalled how…

Moçâmedes Thriller Caps Perfect Group Stage Angola thrilled a packed Welwitschia Mirabilis Arena, edging South Sudan 66-64 to close Group C of AfroBasket 2025 with a flawless 3-0 record. The visitors, who stunned Angola at last year’s FIBA World Cup, launched a 22-11 final-quarter surge, but Both Tut Gach’s last-second three rattled out, sparking euphoric scenes among home fans. Angola Defense Smothers Top-Ranked Rivals Coach Pepe Claros demanded pressure from tip-off. After conceding a 7-0 burst, Angola replied with a 12-0 run, then held the continent’s top-ranked side to 27 first-half points, their lowest of the tournament. Point guard Childe…