Author: The South Sudan Herald

German Delegation Welcomed in Juba Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede met BTECH Germany Technologies and Central Equatoria State Business Union leaders, pledging full governmental support (Eye Radio, Aug 2025). The visit signals renewed European interest in South Sudan’s emerging consumer and infrastructure markets. Open-Door Investment Policy Highlighted Obede stressed that Central Equatoria embraces an open-door approach to foreign capital. He argued that operating from Juba grants firms nationwide reach, citing stable provincial regulations and a fast-growing urban population demanding reliable goods and services. Strategic Advantage of the Juba Hub Bordered by key transport corridors, Central Equatoria channels imports to all…

South Sudan Parliament Summons Vice President The Transitional National Legislative Assembly in Juba has voted to summon Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel Akol, signaling a rare exercise of constitutional oversight aimed at clarifying allegations of economic mismanagement, security overreach and questionable use of public finances. Security Controversies Under Scrutiny Lawmakers referenced the 2014 Nasir episode, claiming vice-presidential interference influenced military deployment and escalated local conflict, an assertion they say falls under Article 55(3) oversight provisions and deserves formal clarification from the executive branch. MPs further allege that Ugandan troops were briefly housed on Dr. Bol Mel’s private farmland, a…

Minister Announces Juba Ban The Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, announced that community football tournaments will be suspended in Juba from 2025, citing repeated fan violence that has overshadowed recent fixtures. He confirmed the ongoing peace cup in the capital would finish without disruption, stressing that any change now would punish teams that have invested time and money. Buluk Playground Incident Recapped Tension escalated after officials were assaulted at Buluk Playground during a heated match between Tonj North and Awerial earlier this month. The South Sudan Football Federation reacted by withdrawing all national and international referees…

Juba Court Delay Stirs Concern An eagerly awaited ruling in the dispute between UAP Insurance South Sudan and a group of dismissed local employees was postponed on Monday after the presiding judge admitted misplacing key documents. The decision adds one more twist to a case already marked by repeated adjournments and changes on the bench. Shifting Judicial Bench Adds Complexity Initially overseen by Judge Francis Amum, the file moved to Judge Peter Muzemel following a routine transfer within the judiciary, according to counsel Marko Reech, who speaks for the former staff. Reech said Muzemel scheduled 29 August for the ruling…

A Call for Adaptive Regulation In Juba, Bank of South Sudan Governor Dr. Addis Ababa Othow urged regulators to ease stringent rules that, he argues, restrain mobile money and microfinance growth. Salary Accounts and Inclusion Linking salaries to bank accounts, the governor said, could expand consumer loans and encourage households to plan for the future, turning payroll systems into gateways for wider financial access. Building Rural Networks Dr. Othow called for telecom operators, banks, and development partners to pool resources, cut service costs, and extend agent networks deep into rural counties where cash still dominates daily trade. Stakeholder Voices at…

MTN MoMo Expansion Sweeps South Sudan MTN South Sudan has rolled out “Mata Fekir”, a campaign designed to push its mobile money service, MoMo, into every county. Executives unveiled the drive at Juba’s Pyramid Hotel, declaring cash-free payments the next frontier for daily transactions. Digital Finance Challenges and Opportunities Francis Matseketsa, CEO of MTN Fintech, called the launch a turning point, stressing partnerships with NGOs to build a digital system that leaves no village behind. He argued that trimming cash circulation will cut transaction costs and stimulate formal commerce. Regulators Endorse Cashless Vision Officials from the National Communication Authority praised…

German Funding Expands South Sudan Support Germany has released an additional 65 million US dollars through KfW, channelled to UNICEF and the World Food Programme, to strengthen resilience in South Sudan’s fragile communities amid conflict, floods and economic strain, humanitarian agencies confirmed this week. One Million Lives in Four Key Towns The Joint Resilience Project’s second phase aims to reach nearly one million residents in Juba, Torit, Yambio and Aweil, concentrating on densely populated urban and peri-urban zones where needs outpace existing services and displacement continues to reshape demographics. Classrooms, Clinics and Clean Water New financing will renovate classrooms, supply…

Cultural Pride and Historical Roots For generations, Dinka cattle herders have prized body mass as proof of prosperity and virility. Village ceremonies crown the widest waistline, echoing tales of legendary chiefs who could barely rise from their beds. Elders say the ritual cements clan solidarity and signals food abundance to neighbouring groups. Growing Medical Concerns Clinicians in Warrap and Lakes States report spikes in hypertension, heart failure, and sleep apnoea among contestants. “Extreme immobilisation combined with high-fat diets overloads the heart within weeks,” warns Dr. Nyaluak Deng, a Juba cardiologist. Two deaths last year underscored the danger, stirring debate across…

Supplies Nearing Empty A British-based aid organisation reports that warehouses holding special food for severely malnourished children are close to depletion in Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan (aid group statement). Staff on the ground describe shelves thinning fast, leaving treatment centres anxious about imminent stock-outs. Why the Food Matters The organisation says the high-nutrient product is central to medical protocols that help children regain weight and immune strength. Without regular rations, recovery times lengthen, and fragile youngsters risk relapsing into acute hunger, undermining years of progress against child mortality. Regional Repercussions Nigeria and Kenya combine large populations with seasonal…

Growing fear of empty warehouses Warehouses that once brimmed with ready-to-use therapeutic food, or RUTF, are edging toward empty across Nigeria, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan, aid officials warn. The London-based organisation Action Against Hunger says its regional stocks have fallen by nearly half since January, compromising its capacity to treat children with severe acute malnutrition. Doctors on the ground confirm rising cases of oedema, the tell-tale swelling linked to extreme protein deficiency, a condition usually reversed with RUTF sachets within weeks. Drought, conflict and prices converge Meteorological data show the Horn of Africa logged five consecutive failed rainy seasons,…