Author: The South Sudan Herald

South Sudan Youth Future Prospects At a storytelling conference in Juba, Undersecretary for Peacebuilding Pia Philip Michael challenged South Sudan’s youth to channel their vigour into constructive pursuits that can secure livelihoods and stability. Addressing participants gathered by Search for Common Ground, Michael stressed that present choices will determine tomorrow’s stature, warning that misdirected energy could leave a generation ‘sitting in the wrong position’ later in life. Nation Building and Community Engagement He urged young citizens to embrace nation-building tasks, from organising football matches in displacement camps to offering psychosocial support, calling such initiatives ‘your responsibilities to the Republic of…

Deadly Night Assault in South Sudan Night-time gunfire shattered the calm of Jebel Boma County, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, at about 11:30 p.m., killing two traders and injuring three others, local authorities report. Information Minister Jacob Werchum Juk says the assailants melted into surrounding bushland before security forces arrived, complicating immediate pursuit. Pattern of Violence in Greater Pibor The attack marks the second assault on Jebel Boma in three weeks, according to Juk. Earlier this month, unidentified gunmen killed one civilian, wounded another and drove off with 95 head of cattle, livestock later recovered by local trackers. Authorities Launch Investigation…

A Saturday of Spirit and Sweat On 30 August 2025, Archbishop Justin Badi Arama led a dawn walk through Juba streets, blending exercise, prayer and community visibility. Vice-President Josephine Lagu, SPLM deputy Mary Apai Ayiga and Central Equatoria Governor General Rabi Mujung Emmanuel paced alongside students, clergy and market women. Voices from the Pulpit and State House “We walk to stay fit, to intercede for families and to thank God for South Sudan,” the Archbishop told participants gathered outside All Saints’ Cathedral. Lagu framed the march as nation-building, saying generous giving “is service” that fortifies moral leadership amid recovery efforts…

Juba conference unites Jonglei and GPAA women Juba’s Boma Hall resounded with determined voices as women from Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area convened for a pioneering conference on peace and leadership. Organised by Peace Canal, the Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund and Peace Partners, the gathering built on recommendations adopted at the Inter-Community General Stakeholders meeting held from 1–3 July 2025 in the capital. High-level attendance signals political commitment Governor Riak Gai Kok led the Jonglei delegation, while Chief Administrator Peter Guzulu Maze headed the GPAA team. Their presence underscored a shared belief that durable stability depends on women’s…

Governor Berapai’s Peace Appeal Standing in his Juba residence on 30 August 2025, Western Equatoria State governor James Altaib Berapai delivered a heartfelt plea to rebels and militias, urging them to lay down weapons and seek solutions through dialogue rather than further bloodshed. His message, broadcast on local radio, stressed readiness to meet combatants “day and night” to understand the anger that drove them to arms and craft, in his words, “an endless solution” for lasting harmony. Understanding the Grievances Western Equatoria has endured targeted killings, highway ambushes and sporadic clashes between government troops and opposition factions, leaving traders fearful…

County Commissioners Forum Malakal Malakal is hosting all 13 county commissioners of Upper Nile State for the second county forum, a three-day meeting scheduled from 1 September. Governor James Koang Chuol confirmed their arrival Sunday morning, stating that logistical preparations, including accommodation and conference facilities, had been finalised to international partners’ satisfaction. Security and Service Delivery in Spotlight Each commissioner is expected to present a detailed report on local security conditions, road connectivity, health posts and economic activity, offering the administration its first state-wide dataset since early 2023. Officials say particular attention will be given to areas recently affected by…

Dialogue Venue and Participants Kuda’s quiet riverside became a negotiation table this week as pastoralists from Terekeka County met cultivators from Juba County. Moderated by state officials, the gathering sought to defuse a pattern of seasonal clashes that had strained local livelihoods (Eye Radio, August 2025). Framework for Coexistence Delegates adopted a rule that herders must secure prior consent from host villages before moving cattle onto farmland. They also mapped dedicated grazing corridors equipped with nearby water points, a move expected to protect both harvests and herds. Justice and Security Measures Special mobile courts backed by community police will adjudicate…

Rumours ignite administrative anxiety Whispers of a separate coordination office for Makal County in Malakal have unsettled residents. The state capital already houses county functions, so any relocation feels redundant to many locals. Uncertainty now clouds an area that had enjoyed relative calm. Community leaders demand transparency “Malakal is part of Makal County; another office makes no sense,” argued Kobfer Amum during an interview. He said a delegation seeking clarification met armed security outside Commissioner Michael Othow Bol’s residence, which they perceived as intimidation. Boundary questions fuel youthful concern Youth representative Simon Nyareth Ayik stressed that clear lines between Malakal…

East Africa’s Packed Electoral Calendar Campaign posters are already appearing across East Africa. Tanzania votes in October, Uganda follows in January 2026, and Kenya lines up for 2027. Within this crowded calendar, South Sudan has chosen to pause, pushing its first national polls to 2026. Juba’s decision, announced by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, extends the current mandate and seeks breathing space to tackle unfinished state-building tasks viewed as essential for a credible ballot. Postponement Aimed at Stability Officials portray the delay as preventive medicine. Ambassador Santino Fardol W. Dicken argues that rushing to the polls without a…

Couple Gunned Down in Bavuru Local officials report that Edward Gbondo, an Azande farmer, and his Balanda wife, Adali Elizabeth, were fatally shot inside their Bavuru home late Wednesday. Eyewitnesses recount that gunmen burst into the Nagito area at about 11 p.m., opened fire, and vanished into surrounding bushland before help could arrive. Violence Upsets Fragile Calm Road ambushes and targeted attacks have marred Tombura County for two months, uprooting families from Nagero, Boo, and Tombura and eroding a period of relative peace. Observers warn that each strike deepens fear and mistrust among communities already scarred by past clashes. Residents…