Author: The South Sudan Herald

Background to the Dispute More than 30 hotels in Juba accepted government guests during the 2018 peace implementation phase, extending credit in the expectation that invoices would be settled swiftly. By 2020 outstanding bills had reportedly climbed above 60 million dollars, prompting the Hotel and Catering Association of South Sudan to instruct Pan African Law Chambers to file suit at the East African Court of Justice. Inside the Settlement Process Documents signed in Juba last month confirm the Justice Ministry and 32 hotel operators reached a binding settlement, ending years of cross-border litigation without admitting liability or revealing final figures.…

Rumor Sparks Community Alarm Morning radio shows in Bor City spent Monday dissecting a leaked memo hinting at the dismissal of Commissioner James Gai Makor. The document, addressed to Governor Dr Riek Gai Kok, proposes Ateny Pech Arik as successor, reigniting old tensions. Dr Angok Kuol Tiir, chairing the powerful Bor Community Association, told reporters the rumor ‘has caused deep anxiety,’ reminding residents of last year’s volatile protests when Pech’s proposed appointment was frozen by President Salva Kiir. Historical Flashback of 2023 Stand-off In April 2023, Pech lost the mayoral seat amid criticism over revenue collection and urban planning. Governor…

Torit Mutiny Anniversary Rekindles Old Wounds At Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Torit, crowds marked the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Torit Mutiny, the spark of Sudan’s first civil war, with a 70-day prayer that has morphed into a mirror for present-day frustrations. Religious leaders asked speakers to reflect on stability and national unity, but the microphone quickly amplified a pointed exchange between civil society figure Edmond Yakani and Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong. Activist Labels Political Class a Curse With terse diction, Yakani labeled the political elite “a curse”, accusing party rivals of fuelling conflicts whenever power appears…

Seventieth Liberation Anniversary Reflections A drizzle cooled the crowd outside St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba as bells marked the 70th anniversary of South Sudan’s liberation struggle. Leading the liturgy, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu lifted a prayer that blended scripture with modern diplomacy, asking God to plant “seeds of disarmament” in the nation’s politics. Religious Leadership Reinforces Non-Violence Agenda He quoted Pope Francis, reminding worshippers that genuine development flourishes only where weapons fall silent, a message echoing through pews packed with veterans and schoolchildren. “Those who once carried rifles may now carry textbooks,” the prelate said, urging political factions to swap grievances…

Historic stride in Gulf outreach Touching down in Juba after a three-day mission to the United Arab Emirates, Vice-President for the Economic Cluster Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel portrayed the trip as a watershed for South Sudan’s young economy, bridging capital-hungry sectors with Gulf liquidity. Diplomacy fuels economic cluster growth Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba told reporters the mission followed up on President Salva Kiir’s June engagement with Abu Dhabi and “aimed to deepen cooperation in oil, agriculture, banking, trade and infrastructure,” echoing Kiir’s directive to accelerate economic diversification. VP Bol Mel also handed a personal letter from President Kiir to…

Legal Directive Extends Armed Forces Act General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has ordered every armed group supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces to operate under the 2007 Armed Forces Act, specifically Articles 14 and 52. The army described the measure as reinforcing rule of law and tightening command control. The announcement, released from Port Sudan on 17 August, coincided with a wave of promotions and retirements among senior officers, signalling an effort to align legal change with refreshed leadership during the protracted battle against the Rapid Support Forces. Analysts Predict Shifts in Chain of Command Military scholars argue that formally absorbing more…

Aid Announcement Sends Ripples Israel’s new foreign minister Gideon Saar told reporters in Tel Aviv that a convoy of food, water purifiers and medical kits will depart “within days” for Juba. He framed the move as “a moral duty and a bridge of friendship” between the two nations. South Sudan’s Humanitarian Landscape According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, over 9 million South Sudanese rely on assistance after flood-driven crop losses and sporadic clashes. Fuel shortages and a depreciating pound have strained local clinics, making external support particularly valuable this dry season. Gaza Crisis Echoes…

International Youth Day Sets Ambitious Agenda Rock City Playing Ground buzzed as thousands marked International Youth Day in Juba. Minister of Youth and Sports Dr Joseph Geng Aketch urged his audience to trade rifles for textbooks, calling education the lodestar of a “second liberation” aimed at lasting prosperity. “The future rests on your shoulders; seize it with knowledge and solidarity,” he told the crowd, echoing liberation-era rhetoric while emphasising peace. His remarks resonated with a demographic that accounts for nearly three-quarters of South Sudan’s population. Education Framed as the New Battlefield Dr Geng described classrooms as modern trenches, insisting that…

Historic First Graduation in Magwi Magwi County’s newest seat of learning marked an historic moment as Magwi College of Agribusiness and Management Sciences capped its inaugural cohort of 37 diploma holders last Saturday. Among the graduates were 11 women and 26 men specialising in crop production, business administration, and human nutrition, each completing rigorous research projects and fieldwork. Hands-On Curriculum Targets Job Creation MCAMS blends classroom teaching with community plots, small business simulations and internships, aiming to convert theory into enterprise. Principal Prof. Salah Edward Dario reminded students that diplomas are tools, stating, “The community expects you to be agents…

Gang Rape Sparks Outrage in Lakes State Eight men are in custody after a 10-year-old girl was gang-raped in Luakluak payam, Yirol West County, on 13 August, according to police. Major General James Monday Enoka confirmed the arrests and vowed a thorough investigation. Swift Police Response Officers moved quickly, detaining all suspects within hours of the assault, aided by community tips and phone tracking, Enoka said. He praised local chiefs for cooperating with investigators and urged the public to report any act of violence without fear. Medical and Psychological Support for the Victim The child is receiving emergency treatment at…