Author: The South Sudan Herald

South Sudan’s Fiscal Warning Lights Economist Bec George Anyak, writing for the independent Sudd Institute, argues that Juba risks an outright budget meltdown because oil-funded savings vehicles created by the 2013 Petroleum Revenue Management Act remain dormant (Sudd Institute, 2025). The think-tank warns that, without immediate policy action, debt-service costs could eclipse the country’s entire net oil income within a few years, squeezing funds for salaries, security and humanitarian programmes. Oil Revenue Laws Under Scrutiny The Petroleum Revenue Management Act mandates both a Stabilization Account and a Future Generations Fund, designed to collect surpluses during price booms and cushion shocks.…

A High-Profile Walkthrough Governor General Sheriff Daniel Sheriff stepped into Jaw Market this week, greeting butchers and grocers whose goods feed most of Western Bahr el Ghazal. His first inspection of the hub drew cabinet officials and security officers, underscoring the market’s economic weight. Import Costs and Layered Taxes Local chamber chairman Wol Charles Aleu explained that nearly all staples roll in from neighbouring states, gathering levies along each checkpoint. By arrival, multiple tariffs have already piled onto flour, sugar and fuel, inflating shelf prices before municipal dues add more. Traders Voice Daily Strain Vendor Makungu Edward described price swings…

Sudden Passing in Indian Hospital Raila Odinga, 80, suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic clinic in Kochi, Kerala, on Wednesday. Doctors transferred him to a nearby facility, yet he was pronounced dead shortly after 9 a.m. local time (Reuters). Aide sources confirmed his presence in India for treatment of an undisclosed ailment. Kenyan outlets, citing the Indian daily Mathrubhumi, broke the news before any official statement from his family or Nairobi authorities, sparking an immediate wave of online tributes. A Half-Century at the Heart of Kenyan Politics Born in Maseno in 1945 to independence veteran…

Nhial Deng’s Dramatic Departure South Sudan’s political landscape shifted as veteran statesman Nhial Deng Nhial froze his membership in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and unveiled a reformist platform. In an 18-page declaration shared with Radio Tamazuj, the former foreign minister accused the ruling elite of betraying the ideals that guided the 2011 independence project. Roots of Discontent within SPLM Nhial cited entrenched corruption, persistent insecurity and postponed elections, arguing that citizens feel increasingly detached from a party he described as “comatose.” Observers note that the 2018 Revitalised Agreement remains only partly implemented, fuelling skepticism about the government’s readiness for…

New Cabinet Members Take Oath in Juba Smiles and cautious applause filled the Freedom Hall in Juba as President Salva Kiir placed Bibles and Korans in the hands of five newly appointed ministers and senior executives on Monday, sealing their oath of office before cameras and lawmakers. The group includes East African Community Affairs Minister Pieng Deng Kuol, Wildlife Conservation and Tourism Minister Denay Jock Chagor, Transport Minister Rizik Zachariah Hassan, Deputy Defence Minister James Koang Chuol and Upper Nile Governor Jacob Dollar Ruot. President Kiir’s Call for Unified Progress Addressing the ceremony, Kiir described the appointments as “a call…

Chinese Officer Earns Dual UN Honours Chinese police officer Zhao Huan has received both the United Nations Peace Medal and an excellence award after a demanding year in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, where intermittent clashes and disease outbreaks test every blue helmet. Life Inside a Ten-Square-Metre Container On arrival during the mosquito-heavy rainy season, Zhao shared a weather-beaten container no bigger than ten square metres; leaks, damp walls and a persistent musty smell challenged her health, causing severe skin rashes and sleepless nights. Calm Diplomacy under Fire When a deadly riot erupted at UN IDP Camp Three on 8 July…

Legal Path Chosen by USAP Faction Facing a deepening leadership crisis, a faction of the United Sudan African Party says it will file a lawsuit to clarify who legitimately heads the movement after the 2021 death of long-time chairman Joseph Ukel. Secretary for Legal Affairs Bullen Isaiah announced the legal strategy in Juba, reading a statement signed by Acting Chairperson Professor Ajang Bior Duot during a weekend press conference. Dueling Claims to the Chair Isaiah alleges that Deputy Justice Minister Joseph Malek Arop seized the party seal by force and registered USAP in his own name, violating internal rules and…

Sudden Raids in Khartoum Eyewitnesses report that plain-clothes officers swept through Khartoum’s streets and homes, detaining more than one hundred South Sudanese women within hours. Many, including Nyakuc Akol, said doors were forced open and questions about identity documents preceded immediate arrest. Sudanese authorities have not issued a public explanation, but detainees were reportedly told that residence without proper documentation contravenes a new security directive. Journey to Joda Border Post After a night in detention, the women were placed on buses bound for the Joda crossing that links Sudan to South Sudan’s Upper Nile State. Escorts logged their names and…

Eastern Equatoria Shows Early Enthusiasm Torit residents greeted National Constitutional Review Commission delegates with applause, underscoring a hunger for participatory governance. Local official Elias Ahaji told Eye Radio that people are “very happy” to host the team and feel “proud to be part of the Constitution.” Civic Education Rolls Across States Launched in Juba on 8 October, the outreach has already reached Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Eastern Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal. Trainers explain constitutional principles in local languages, ensuring villagers, traders and youth groups understand their role in shaping the supreme law. Citizens’ Voices Drive the Draft…

Bright Stars vs Togo Match Report The Bright Stars of South Sudan signed off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying journey with a tense 0-0 draw away to Togo on Tuesday night. Both teams stressed defensive order, producing a contest rich in structure yet short on clear chances, to the frustration of supporters in Lomé. Coach Simon James’ Tactical Blueprint Head coach Simon James kept faith with a compressed back line and modified his midfield trio, recalling Mario and Mandela to flank Chan Peter for extra control. Chan and Mandela often dropped toward their centre-backs to start moves, while Mario…