Author: The South Sudan Herald

Juba cemetery shortage alarms residents Families in South Sudan’s capital report long journeys to rural villages after finding no space to bury loved ones in town. Only one active public graveyard—near Checkpoint on New Yei Road—still accepts burials. Urban growth and legal gaps drive the crunch Rapid population expansion has swallowed older cemeteries in Gumbo, Juba Na Bari, New Site, Hai Malakal and Konyo-Konyo, now dotted with informal homes. Lawmakers blame weak land protection and the absence of a national regulation for burial sites. Parliament demands accountability from officials On Tuesday the Transitional National Legislative Assembly voted to summon the…

Arrest in Dubai Raises Alarms The sudden detention of South Sudanese commentator Samuel Peter Oyay in Dubai has startled regional observers. UAE security officers reportedly raided his residence, searched for two hours and escorted him to an undisclosed facility, relatives told Eye Radio. Family Grapples With Silence His brother, speaking anonymously for safety, said the only information received was that “procedures will be carried out with him for five days.” No official charges have been communicated, and the family says they have not been allowed to visit or contact him. Critical Pen Drove Oyay’s Profile Oyay gained prominence through analytical…

Media Authority’s Rising Profile in South Sudan South Sudan’s Media Authority entered 2023 under scrutiny, yet it soon showcased an agile, rights-oriented posture. Observers credit the regulator with balancing statutory duties and democratic values, an equilibrium often elusive in young states navigating fragile political settlements. The body’s measured style contrasts with louder regional watchdogs. Officials routinely cite its mandate “to create an enabling media environment,” a phrase now echoed by reporters who once viewed regulators with suspicion. Restoring Press Access during Machar Trials The defining challenge arrived during the trials of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. Initial courtroom restrictions…

Historic IPC Membership South Sudan became the 193rd member of the International Paralympic Committee after a delegation traveled to South Korea on 26 September 2025. Officials describe the vote as a landmark that finally aligns the young nation with global standards of competitive sport for people with disabilities. Government Commitment to Inclusion Undersecretary Monica Agum Awet told The Dawn that membership ‘gives our disabled community the chance to perform regionally, continentally, and internationally’. She pledged seamless cooperation between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the newly recognized National Paralympic Committee to nurture talent and remove logistical hurdles. Grassroots Programs…

Central Bank Sets Ambitious Reform Pace Since December 2023, the Bank of South Sudan has driven the Strengthening South Sudan’s Financial Sector project, or 3SF. Designed to shore up macro-stability and deepen credit channels, the plan reflects Juba’s broader push to pivot from oil reliance toward diversified enterprise. World Bank Grant Bolsters Capacity An International Development Association grant of US$18 million funds core activities. A World Bank support mission, visiting 15–19 September 2025, highlighted progress and flagged areas for technical fine-tuning, calling the partnership “a cornerstone for sustainable growth” (World Bank mission brief). Sharper Supervision and Compliance BOSS reports stronger…

House Arrest Sparks Alleged Assassination Scheme Dr. Riek Machar’s house arrest in March 2025 quickly birthed rumours of a lethal plan to silence him. Insiders say the idea was shelved after advisers warned President Salva Kiir of global condemnation and possible civil war. Reports claim Kiir’s circle later explored subtler methods, proposing to use the courts to sideline the opposition leader while avoiding the spectacle of violence. From Bullets to Bench: Judicial Strategy Emerges On 23 September 2025 fresh leaks spoke of a revived plot, now centred on a courtroom ambush during future proceedings. SPLM/A-IO publicly confirmed the threat days…

A Timely Gathering in Juba More than eighty delegates from every county in Central Equatoria met in Juba for a two-day Farmers and Herders Conference. Organised by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization with IOM support, the forum addresses recurring clashes over grazing corridors and croplands. Governor Mujung’s Five-Point Appeal Opening the meeting, Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel urged participants to craft enforceable rules on cattle movement, empower chiefs, youth and women in mediation, revive local markets, curb political interference, and promote reconciliation. He called these steps “a blueprint for durable peace” (Eye Radio). Voices for Truthful Dialogue State Minister of…

Historic Return of Judges to Bentiu For the first time in 12 years, Unity State now hosts a permanent high court judge and a first-grade judge. Their arrival in Bentiu marks a decisive break from a period when formal justice was virtually absent. UNMISS announced the deployment in a statement, framing it as part of its protection-of-civilians mandate and support for rule of law in South Sudan. How the Mobile Court Operates The Bentiu mobile court opened on 29 September and will sit until 25 October. It combines criminal and civil jurisdiction, hearing cases from murder to land disputes under…

Unprecedented Displacement Hits Western Equatoria Local officials in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State confirm an unexpected influx of more than 52,000 internally displaced persons after fresh clashes turned Tambura into a battle zone. Relief and Rehabilitation Commission coordinator Martin Siani says registrations began on 22 June and still climb, with 2,812 households already logged inside Ezo County’s borders. Basic Needs Under Severe Pressure Most arrivals are women and children caught in the rainy season, arriving with little more than the clothes they wear. Siani warns broken boreholes, scarce medicine, and a shortage of shelter have pushed malnutrition and water-borne diseases…

A Homecoming Charged With Promise Yambio airstrip buzzed on Saturday as Deputy Governor Justin Joseph Marona stepped off a small aircraft, assuring residents that Western Equatoria’s new leadership is “working tirelessly” to meet their demand for peace (The Dawn Newspaper). Marona’s brief yet emotive address positioned unity and development as central pillars of the emerging agenda. Remembering Charles Ngamunde The Deputy Governor had just returned from Juba, where he received the body of Hon. Charles Ngamunde, hailed as “a man of peace” and “pillar of our government.” Ngamunde’s burial in Maridi, described as dignified and calm, served as a symbolic…