Author: The South Sudan Herald

Renewed Fighting Shakes Fragile Peace Fresh clashes erupted in Upper Nile and Unity states in March, snapping the power-sharing truce signed in 2018. Government troops advanced against SPLM-IO positions, citing security threats, but opposition commanders labeled the push a ‘calculated exclusion’ of Vice-President Riek Machar from national affairs. Machar–Kiir Rift Reopens Old Wounds President Salva Kiir’s decision to restrict Machar to Juba residence revived memories of the 2013 civil war that cost an estimated 400,000 lives. Analysts in Nairobi argue the move erodes trust among Nuer and Dinka communities, potentially triggering fresh communal violence far from military front lines. UN…

Countdown to Release For weeks, candidates anxiously refreshed school noticeboards, waiting for confirmation that their 2024 Senior Four scores were ready. Education Minister Kuyok Abol Kuyok broke the suspense in Juba, announcing that results would go live nationwide on 20 August 2025. Presidential Endorsement Signals Transparency Kuyok told Vice-President Josephine Lagu Yanga that President Salva Kiir had already inspected the data set and authorised its publication, a gesture officials portray as a commitment to accountability. Candidates will access grades via SMS platforms and school portals from Wednesday morning, reducing costly travel for remote learners. Tackling Persistent Education Challenges While celebrating…

Flashpoint in Lakes State A routine family meeting in Ayen, Rumbek North, turned violent on Monday, leaving one man dead and six wounded. Eyewitnesses say the discussion concerned a teenage pregnancy linking the Anien and Pajok clans. Within minutes, gunfire shattered the gathering and scattered participants. County Commissioner Moses Maker Magok reported that security troops dispersed the crowd and are tracking suspected shooters. He insisted that ‘courts, not rifles, should settle dowry or paternity rows’ (Radio Tamazuj). Uneasy Calm in Ayen Village By Tuesday morning, market stalls reopened, yet tension remained palpable. Elders from both clans performed traditional prayers beside…

Shifting Battle Lines in Central Equatoria Joint operations by NAS and SPLA-IO against SSPDF this month signal a rare convergence of battlefield interests. Field commanders in Central Equatoria report improved coordination, a contrast to previous years of mistrust. Analysts in Juba consider the move a potential turning point. Citizens Longing for Cohesion From displaced camps in Wau to tea stalls in Nimule, civilians voice the same plea: unite. Student activist Mary Ayor states, “Fragmentation keeps war alive.” Observers note that, while social media amplifies rival rhetoric, grassroots fatigue with conflict could pressure leaders toward compromise. Military Synergy and Political Momentum…

Heavy Rainfall Triggers Overnight Flood Panyijiar County woke on Tuesday to ankle-deep water after a fierce cloudburst the previous night swamped Ganyliel’s lone primary health care centre and its adjoining airstrip. Local staff described the downpour as the heaviest in recent memory, surpassing seasonal norms tracked by county meteorological observers. Patients Relocated to Safer Ground County health director Peter Yoak said 24 patients—13 men and 11 women—were carried to an elevated veranda minutes before water reached bed level. “The compound turned into a shallow lake,” he reported, adding that no serious injuries occurred during the hasty relocation. Facility and Airstrip…

Rumor Sparks Parliamentary Debate Reports by CNN and Al Jazeera suggested discreet talks between Juba and Tel Aviv on transferring displaced Gazans to South Sudan. The story reached the Transitional National Legislative Assembly before any official briefing, setting off a tense Monday session. Lawmaker Luka Matanta Akuei argued the possibility breached South Sudan’s non-alignment stance and cited past deportations from the United States as precedent for sidelining Parliament. He asked the Foreign Affairs Minister to appear and give an unvarnished account. Government Denial and Party Line Acting SPLM chief whip Ahamed Muhammed Musa reminded colleagues that the foreign ministry had…

Sudden Cabinet Shake-Up in Juba President Salva Kiir announced the decree on national television on 13 August, replacing Anyak with economist Yien Chan Ruei after ten months in the post. The order also relieved several MPs allied to First Vice-President Dr Riek Machar, sparking swift protests from the SPLM-IO wing that labelled it a breach of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. Anyak’s Ten-Month Track Record During his brief tenure, the ministry piloted a cash-management dashboard, trimmed arrears and launched weekly revenue disclosures that civil-society observers called an “important stride toward transparency” (CEPO report, July 2025). Anyak argued that stricter payroll audits…

UN Floor Spotlight on Patience On Monday in New York, China’s deputy envoy Sun Lei reminded the UN Security Council that South Sudan’s transition, barely a decade old, requires time and steady guidance. His message echoed through a chamber often impatient for quick metrics on peace. Backing African-Led Mediation Sun welcomed President Salva Kiir’s renewed pledge to shun war and embraced the African Union’s recent field visit as proof that continental mechanisms are active. “African issues need African solutions,” he stressed, urging outsiders to avoid heavy-handed pressure while respecting Juba’s sovereignty. Election Preparations Under Scrutiny The revitalized peace agreement sets…

House Arrest Raises Legal Questions First Vice President Riek Machar has not left his Juba residence since 26 March, following government accusations linking him to recent clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile. No formal charge has been filed, prompting lawyers to question adherence to South Sudanese provisions on pre-trial detention. Government Clarifies Investigation Senior presidential adviser Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk insists the confinement is criminal, not political. “If evidence confirms wrongdoing, he can be relieved and tried; until then he remains First Vice President,” he told Radio Tamazuj, declining to specify a timeline for the investigation’s completion. Peace Deal Still…

Mounting Pressure Before the 2026 Ballot With national elections slated for December 2026, South Sudan’s political temperature is climbing. Recent detentions, armed skirmishes, and logistical hurdles threaten to unravel the 2018 Revitalised Agreement, diplomats caution. AU Mission Calls for Inclusive Leadership Dialogue After a fact-finding visit to Juba, the African Union Peace and Security Council urged all signatories to convene a high-level dialogue. Its communiqué on 15 August 2025 cited “deep concern” over detentions and escalating rhetoric. Civil Society Voices Appeal to the UNSC “Our citizens need a safe space for leaders to negotiate unresolved tasks,” argued Edmund Yakani, head…