Author: The South Sudan Herald

Rumbek Women’s Hospital Closure Concerns Women in Lakes State have appealed to the national government and health partners to urgently intervene to prevent the closure of Kiir Mayardit Women’s Hospital in Rumbek. Community voices argue the facility remains central to protecting women and children, according to Eye Radio. The hospital has been operational since 2024 and is widely described as a key referral facility for maternal and child healthcare. It serves Rumbek town as well as surrounding rural communities that often rely on referrals for emergency and specialist care. Residents Cite Emergency Maternal Care Needs Rumbek resident Yar Mawat Adut…

Retirement benefits authority proposal in South Sudan The General Manager of the South Sudan Pensions Fund has called for a retirement benefits authority to regulate all pension and social security schemes in the country. The proposal positions regulation as a way to bring consistency and oversight across multiple institutions. (Eye Radio) Juba meeting targets coordination across pension schemes The call was made during a meeting in Juba bringing together the South Sudan Pensions Fund and other pension schemes. Participants discussed how to address institutional challenges and improve coordination within the sector, reflecting a shared interest in practical solutions. (Eye Radio)…

South Sudan Cabinet tightens non‑oil revenue policy South Sudan’s National Cabinet has resolved to end all non‑statutory tax exemptions, presenting the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen the collection of non‑oil revenue. The decision followed a memorandum presented by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, during a Council of Ministers meeting held on Friday, according to officials speaking on state media. Government links exemptions to revenue leakages Speaking to the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Friday, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Ateny Wek Ateny, framed the change…

EACJ hearing set for South Sudan election law dispute The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) is due to hear a legal challenge to a provision in South Sudan’s election law that allows a president-elect to appoint lawmakers to parliament. Critics say the clause could affect constitutional accountability and the balance of institutions. A court notice reported by Radio Tamazuj schedules the hearing for March 11, 2026, before a five-judge panel of the EACJ First Instance Division in Arusha, Tanzania (Radio Tamazuj). Section 60(4) of the National Election Act under scrutiny The case, Wani Santino Jada v. The Attorney General…

Walgak Aid Suspension in Akobo West County Save the Children says it has temporarily suspended humanitarian operations in Walgak, in Akobo West County, after two separate incidents in which its clearly marked humanitarian vehicles were taken. The organisation framed the pause as a protective measure for operational integrity and access. Vehicles Taken, Then Returned: What the Statement Says In a statement issued on Saturday, Save the Children South Sudan said that earlier this year three vehicles were taken without consent. The organisation reported that the vehicles were later returned after engagement with relevant local actors. Two More Vehicles Still Missing,…

Aweil East County Mourns a Veteran Chief The long-serving paramount chief of Madhol Payam in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Lual Malong Yor, has died aged 80. Family sources said he passed away at Aweil Civil Hospital on Saturday morning after a prolonged illness. Family Account Points to Diabetes Complications His stepbrother, Diing Malong Yor, said the chief had lived with diabetes for several years. Diing stated that Lual died at the hospital before a planned operation on his feet, after an amputation had been considered for both legs. Doctors’ Concerns: Anaemia, Malaria and Infection Diing said…

Nairobi Handover Signals Momentum for Dialogue Retired Kenyan General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, Chief Facilitator of the Tumaini Initiative, has handed over a Framework for Dialogue to the Special Envoy of President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Nairobi, according to a press statement from the Initiative. The Initiative said the framework was presented on January 29 and is designed to steer deliberations on a draft South Sudan National Consensus Charter for Peace and Democracy, positioning the document as a practical tool to navigate a long-running political deadlock. Briefings Extend to Opposition and Civil Society The press statement said the same framework was shared…

South Sudan Dialogue Committee Announced by Kiir President Salva Kiir issued a Republican Order on Friday night establishing a committee mandated to conduct dialogue with the alleged parties to the 2018 Agreement on issues related to elections. The committee is chaired by SPLM-IG Secretary General Dr Akol Paul Kordit. Inclusivity Concerns Raised by SPLM-IO Leadership Critics say the committee’s make-up is not inclusive, arguing that this limits its ability to address South Sudan’s political crisis. They also contend that the leadership of the parties linked to the Agreement is itself not broadly representative. Calls for Inclusive Dialogue Since February 2025…

Cabinet-led push for fiscal discipline in Juba South Sudan’s Cabinet, chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, on Friday moved to cut public spending as part of efforts to stabilise the economy. The meeting took place in Juba, where ministers discussed measures aimed at restoring confidence in public finances. Finance ministry memo frames economic recovery plan The Council of Ministers approved a new plan on fiscal discipline and economic recovery after Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol presented a memo on financial discipline. Officials described the plan as centred on tighter spending, stronger revenue generation, and renewed financial…

A digital surge in Juba’s everyday trade South Sudan is seeing a fast rise in mobile money, online commerce and digital payments, even as reliable Digital Public Infrastructure remains limited. Digital tools are increasingly central to banking, telecoms, health and humanitarian operations, but they often operate without a unified national framework. At Konyo-konyo market in Juba, trader Mary Akol repeatedly refreshes her phone, waiting for a mobile money confirmation that does not arrive. With the transaction stuck mid-way, she asks the customer to return with cash. By evening, the sale is gone. Mobile money expands, trust remains uneven Similar disruptions…