Author: The South Sudan Herald

Why a People-Driven Charter Matters South Sudan’s quest for a durable charter entered a lively phase this week as civil-society group SPIDO convened a one-day symposium in Torit to explain the 2022 Constitutional Making Process Act and collect grassroots opinions. Grassroots Consultations Gain Momentum Community leaders, youth representatives and traditional chiefs packed Torit Freedom Hall, while thousands followed livestreams from Juba and the diaspora, signalling widespread appetite for participation in shaping the supreme law. Organisers said similar dialogues will roll across Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria during the five-month project financed by a 60,000-dollar UNDP grant designed to broaden civic…

High-level delegation departs Juba Leaving Juba’s dusty runway at dawn, Vice President for the Economic Cluster Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel boarded a direct jet to Abu Dhabi, leading ministers and technocrats tasked with turning boardroom promises into hard currency for the continent’s youngest republic. Press secretary Oyiti Ajawin told journalists the trip reflects “a decisive pivot toward sustainable partnerships”, emphasising that private capital is vital while oil prices fluctuate and climate risks rise. Energy, agriculture and tech on agenda Sources within the delegation say proposals cover refinery upgrades, solar farms along the Nile corridor, large-scale sorghum processing and a potential…

Government swift denial boosts public trust Juba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a concise statement on Wednesday dismissing media allegations that South Sudan was negotiating with Israel to host displaced Palestinians. Officials branded the articles “baseless” and reiterated that no bilateral talks on mass resettlement had occurred. Activists welcome stance yet urge openness Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, applauded the clarification. “This is what citizens expect—early, honest communication,” he told Eye Radio, stressing that proactive disclosures prevent harmful speculation and strengthen social cohesion. Memory of struggle shapes cautious outlook Yakani reminded listeners that South…

Activists Renew Push for Inclusive South Sudan Talks South Sudan’s Civil Society Forum has issued a fresh appeal for a truly inclusive political dialogue, calling on the African Union, IGAD, Nairobi, Juba and global partners to convert supportive statements into coordinated action. The forum argues that political will, technical expertise and reliable funding are now more decisive than new declarations, stressing that a revitalised framework must emerge before the current transitional timetable slips further. AU and IGAD Response in Focus In Juba last month, the AU Peace and Security Council praised calls for wider dialogue yet offered no binding roadmap,…

Official Denial in Juba South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly rejected reports alleging secret talks with Israel over relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Juba. A late-night communiqué labeled the claims “baseless” and stressed that no such proposal forms part of the country’s foreign-policy agenda. The statement, signed by Acting Foreign Minister Deng Dau, comes amid a regional news cycle dominated by Gaza developments. Officials say the clarification aims to pre-empt speculation that could strain South Sudan’s delicate diplomatic ties in the Horn of Africa and beyond. Origins of the Resettlement Rumor Earlier in the week, the Associated Press…

Rumours of a Juba-Tel Aviv Dialogue Whispers of undisclosed talks between South Sudan’s foreign ministry and Israeli officials burst onto social media last week, suggesting a plan to relocate foreign nationals from the Middle East to Sudanese soil. The Foreign Affairs Ministry swiftly dismissed the reports as baseless, yet the silence that followed drew scrutiny from lawmakers accustomed to receiving policy updates long after international headlines surface. Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Reacts Committee chair Joseph Malwal Dong told Eye Radio, “We learnt of this through the press, not through official channels, and that is worrying.” Malwal confirmed plans to summon…

South Sudan Parliament Hits the Pause Button Juba’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly halted debate on President Salva Kiir’s landmark policy speech after noticing rows of empty chairs reserved for ministers. Lawmakers argued that meaningful scrutiny of the address, delivered during last month’s reopening of parliament, cannot proceed without the executive branch in the room. Executive Attendance Dilemma Only five of thirty-five ministers appeared, far below the quorum legislators consider reasonable for a policy discussion. SPLM MP Elizabeth Adut told colleagues the cabinet’s presence is vital for direct questioning, a sentiment swiftly backed by SPLM-IO representatives. Kiir’s Agenda and the Implementation…

Diplomatic Denial in Juba South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has flatly rejected claims of quiet negotiations with Israel to host Palestinians from Gaza, calling the rumor “baseless” and not reflective of government policy (Ministry statement). The Story Behind the Leak The Associated Press quoted six unnamed sources who said exploratory talks were under way, sparking headlines across East Africa and abroad last week (Associated Press). Civil Society Questions Edmund Yakani of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization urged transparency, warning that South Sudan must not become “a dumping ground” or a bargaining chip in wider geopolitics (Eye Radio interview). Humanitarian…

Machar Detention Sparks Legal Debate Dr Riek Machar’s brief detention in Juba, though resolved, reopened old wounds about how South Sudan handles controversy around its senior leaders. Government officials insisted security considerations compelled the move, but critics warned it risked violating the 2018 Revitalised Agreement. Historical Shadows Shape Public Perception Memories of the 1991 Bor massacre and later rebellions cast a long shadow, shaping public opinion of Machar as either reformer or repeat offender. “Our past bleeds into every present decision,” noted civil society activist Abuk Deng in Juba, urging caution against blanket condemnation or blanket amnesty. Balancing Rule of…

Rallying Around Dialogue The African Union Peace and Security Council’s August field mission to Juba reignited calls for a broad political conversation in South Sudan. Civil society groups, faith leaders and foreign partners say the moment may finally be right for structured, time-bound talks. AU PSC Mission Revives Diplomatic Energy In its communiqué, the Council urged an ‘inclusive high-level political dialogue’ to ease rising tensions before the transitional timeline expires. Observers note that the language echoes President Salva Kiir’s July appeal to opposition holdouts to ’embrace reconciliation’ for the sake of citizens. Diplomats from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the…