Author: The South Sudan Herald

SPLM/A-IO Resignation Rumours Denied JUBA — Gen. Nathaniel Oyet, the Acting Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), has rejected claims that he resigned from the movement. In a statement dated January 11, 2026, Oyet said he remains “steadfast” in his role, and has not stepped down from any responsibilities, according to his office. Leaked Letter Sparks Questions in South Sudan Oyet’s statement followed the circulation of a letter dated January 11, 2026, presented as a resignation note addressed to SPLM/A-IO leader and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny. The document says, “It is with…

Aweil East Incident Reported by Police Police in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr El Ghazal state, say a 26-year-old man killed his elder brother during a family dispute on Thursday night in Maper-Agor boma, Madhol payam, in Aweil, as the case was recorded by local authorities. What Authorities Say Happened at Home Daniel Aluat Yak, a police inspector in Madhol Payam, told this outlet on Sunday that the incident unfolded around 8:00 PM, after the 30-year-old brother, identified as Ayiik Lual Thor, returned home reportedly intoxicated and began threatening their sister and mother. Yak said the younger brother, Ayii Lual…

A moral question behind political order Rebellion is frequently condemned before its causes are weighed. Social order can feel reassuring, even where injustice persists beneath it. The key issue, the writer argues, is not whether rebellion carries danger, but whether continued submission becomes morally indefensible. South Sudan and the stalled 2018 peace deal In South Sudan, the argument is framed as urgent rather than abstract. The writer points to political fragmentation, ethnic targeting, and blocked peace efforts, alongside what he describes as repeated failures to uphold basic rights. He cites the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement as a central reference point,…

Western Equatoria football final stops abruptly The final of an inter-county football tournament in Western Equatoria State ended abruptly on Saturday after fans entered the pitch, prompting match officials to abandon play. Organisers said the tournament has been suspended indefinitely, citing security concerns around the venue. Disputed penalty decision triggers pitch invasion The Inter-County Football Tournament final between Nzara County and Yambio County was halted after a controversial penalty decision. Nzara County was leading 1-0 when central referee Charles Oga awarded a penalty to Yambio County, a call that reportedly escalated tensions among spectators. Organising committee cites safety and accountability…

Jonglei State Yuai: Tension and troop movements Tensions are reported to be high in Yuai town, Uror County, Jonglei State, with local officials saying SSPDF soldiers positioned in Duk County are building up and could advance toward SPLA-IO locations. The account was shared on Saturday in remarks carried by Radio Tamazuj. Yuai civilians flee after Jan. 2 fighting Local officials say Yuai fell to opposition SPLA-IO fighters allied to detained First Vice President Riek Machar on Jan. 2, after intense fighting that pushed civilians to flee. The county information director, Majiok Chop, said the town is now empty of civilians.…

Juba Immigration Reports Growing Backlog of Documents South Sudan’s Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports and Immigration says more than 3,000 passports and nationality cards are currently uncollected in storage facilities in Juba, adding to administrative pressure inside the department. Major General Elai Costa Explains What Officials Are Seeing Speaking to Eye Radio on Thursday, Major General Elai Costa said many applicants do not return after submitting their paperwork. He added that some passports have reportedly expired while still held by the department (Eye Radio). “We have a lot of nationality cards and passports in our store waiting for their…

Uganda election observation mission arrives in Kampala A high-level regional election observation mission bringing together the African Union, COMESA and IGAD has arrived in Uganda to monitor the January 15, 2026 general elections. The delegation travelled at the invitation of the Government of Uganda and the country’s Electoral Commission. 84 African short-term observers to assess polling credibility The AU–COMESA–IGAD Election Observation Mission includes 84 short-term observers drawn from across Africa. Their mandate is to evaluate the credibility and overall conduct of the polls, with deployments planned across Uganda’s regions for election-day monitoring. Three South Sudanese delegates join AU–COMESA–IGAD observers South…

Juba Memorial Service for Eye Radio Journalist Memorial services for the late senior Eye Radio journalist and Dawn Show presenter Emmanuel Joseph Akile are underway in Juba and in his hometown of Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State (Eye Radio). In Juba, prayers are being held at the family house in Gudele Block 9. Eye Radio staff and relatives are joined by government officials, members of the media fraternity, and the diplomatic community, according to the broadcaster (Eye Radio). Eye Radio is airing the Juba memorial service live on radio and on its Facebook platform, giving listeners across the country…

Presidential pardon triggers releases in Lakes State Authorities at Rumbek Central Prison in Lakes State released nine inmates on Wednesday under a presidential pardon directive, according to officials. The order was issued by President Salva Kiir and, officials said, applies to people convicted of minor crimes. Prison officials say selection followed October assessment William Marial Agok, director general of Rumbek Central Prison, said the release followed an assessment carried out in October ahead of a year-end presidential pardon. “These are inmates who were identified as eligible for the release,” Agok said. Minor offences emphasised, serious cases excluded Agok said the…

South Sudan Decrees Reshape Western Equatoria Leadership South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reshuffled the Western Equatoria State government, appointing new state ministers, county commissioners and members of independent commissions, according to decrees announced on Friday. The Republican Decrees were signed by the president in Juba on Wednesday and later announced in the state capital, Yambio. All officials involved in the changes are members of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). Western Equatoria Ministers: Key Portfolios Reassigned Four ministers were relieved of their duties: Letecia Benito Gbafu from Agriculture; Emmanuel Emmy Lavirick from Transport, Roads and Bridges; Mande…