Author: The South Sudan Herald

Juba’s MFA&IC: No Formal US Notification Yet South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it has not been officially notified of any United States suspension of foreign assistance in Ayod County, Jonglei State. The statement was delivered in Juba during a regular monthly media briefing on Friday. US Decision Targets Ayod County Aid Operations On January 8, the United States announced it was suspending foreign assistance in Ayod County and launching a review of aid to Western Bahr el-Ghazal State. US authorities cited “continued abuse and obstruction” by South Sudanese officials as the reason humanitarian operations have…

Nile Day 2026 in Juba: Regional Meeting Confirmed Delegates from Nile Basin member states are expected in Juba in February 2026 for the annual Nile Day commemoration. The gathering is set to bring together representatives from across the basin to spotlight cooperation around the river’s shared resources. What Nile Day Marks for Nile Basin Countries Nile Day is observed every 22 February across Nile Basin countries and other riparian states. It commemorates the establishment of the Nile Basin Initiative, created to encourage coordinated approaches to how the river system is managed and used. Nile Basin Initiative: Shared Vision Since 1999…

Captured Fighters Rekindle SAF–Juba Suspicions Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) said it captured more than 10 South Sudanese nationals who were fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s Kordofan region, according to SAF sources cited by Al Jazeera (Al Jazeera). The episode has amplified an argument in Khartoum that South Sudan is edging closer to Sudan’s conflict. South Sudan has faced accusations of backing the RSF, while Juba has not publicly embraced those claims in the cited reports. A Fragile Political Context Inside South Sudan The Kordofan fighting comes as South Sudan navigates a tense domestic climate, with reporting…

Country Overview and Business Climate Analysts at IOA say they have tracked South Sudan’s trajectory since independence, using research and consulting work to map key trends. Their reading highlights how political competition has been closely linked to recurring conflict, shaping the investment climate (Africa.com). In the same assessments, South Sudan is presented as a case where natural-resource wealth has not translated into broad-based gains. The ongoing instability has also driven large-scale displacement, described as among Africa’s most severe refugee dynamics (Africa.com). Oil Dependence and Livelihood Realities The economy remains overwhelmingly reliant on oil. According to the report, after a shutdown…

SportPesa League Transfer: Gor Mahia Confirm Signing Record SportPesa League champions Gor Mahia have completed the signing of South Sudan international Jackson Dwang from Posta Rangers, strengthening their squad for the second half of the season (SportPesa Blog). The club said the attacking midfielder signed a two-year contract, ending weeks of speculation after reported interest from several league rivals (SportPesa Blog). Jackson Dwang Profile: From Posta Rangers to K’Ogalo Dwang had built a strong reputation in the league through his performances for Posta Rangers, where his energy and creativity made him a central figure, according to the report (SportPesa Blog).…

December 2026 Elections as a National Milestone Legislators and civil society leaders in Western Equatoria state broadly agree that South Sudan’s planned December 2026 elections matter, even as they debate the conditions needed for a credible vote. If held, the elections would mark a major national moment for the country, which has not organised a national vote since independence in 2011, according to officials interviewed by Radio Tamazuj. State Lawmakers Weigh Rights and Governance In interviews with Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, members of the state assembly described elections as a core democratic right, while also framing the vote as a…

Free Surgery Outreach in Terekeka County The South Sudan Doctors Union says it will stage a five-day free surgical camp in Terekeka County, Central Equatoria State, later this month. The outreach is set for Jan. 23-28, 2026, and will offer operations alongside other essential medical services. Central Equatoria Healthcare Access in Focus Union officials frame the camp as a practical step to widen healthcare access across Central Equatoria State. They link the effort to recent reductions in health facilities and long-standing shortages that, in their view, have constrained routine service delivery in parts of the area. Dr. Luka Dut on…

Passport Backlog Triggers Official Apology The Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passports and Immigration has publicly apologized for extended delays in issuing passports and nationality documents. The directorate linked the disruption to unpaid fees owed to the company producing official booklets, a bottleneck that has slowed service delivery. Immigration Director General Addresses Eye Radio Interview Speaking on Eye Radio’s Sundown Show on Thursday, Director General of Immigration Major General Elia Costa Faustino said the delays were outside his office’s control. He attributed the problem to the government’s failure to settle payments with a foreign supplier responsible for passport and nationality…

Emmanuel Akile mourned across South Sudan media In Juba, South Sudan’s media fraternity has been mourning Emmanuel Joseph Akile, with tributes highlighting a career marked by professional courage. South African journalist and former JHR media trainer Jedi Ramalapa added his voice, describing Akile’s legacy as both practical and deeply principled (Eye Radio). Jedi Ramalapa’s tribute to a public-interest journalist Ramalapa portrayed the veteran Dawn Show host as an “invaluable asset” to people with limited power, arguing that Akile’s commitment to the Fourth Estate exceeded routine expectations. In his account, journalism for Akile was not a job title but a sustained…

Yambio Police Arrest One Suspect, Pursue Three Others Police in Yambio say they have arrested one suspect connected to the alleged gang rape of a young woman and have launched a search for three other suspects who remain at large. Local authorities say the incident happened along Masia Road in Yambio town, where the survivor was reportedly attacked and raped by four men. The case is being handled as an active criminal investigation. Community Leader Warns of Rising Gender-Based Violence John Henry, a community leader in Yambio, confirmed the reported incident and said police moved quickly, with one suspect now…