Author: The South Sudan Herald

Sudan Bus Collision Leaves South Sudanese Dead South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that 12 South Sudanese citizens were killed and 40 others injured in a bus collision in Sudan on Wednesday. According to the ministry, the crash happened in Duweim, a city in Sudan’s White Nile state. It said two passenger buses collided, and one of them was transporting South Sudanese returnees heading back home. Foreign Ministry Statement and Condolences In its statement, the ministry said it was “sadly informed” of the incident. It offered its “deepest condolence to the families of the deceased” and said…

Juba reaction to the US foreign assistance pause A South Sudanese civil society leader has urged authorities to open an independent investigation into alleged interference with humanitarian work, after the United States suspended assistance in parts of Jonglei State. He warned the decision could sharply affect civilians who depend on aid. Ter Manyang Gatwech, executive director of the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), said swift action is needed for US support to resume in Ayod County and other areas. He made the remarks in a statement carried by Sudans Post. Ter Manyang Gatwech calls for an independent investigation “I…

A directive from the Office of the President South Sudan’s Office of the President has issued a new directive to reshape how high-level appointments and removals are communicated and implemented. The circular was issued on Thursday by Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima, and it takes effect immediately. Public announcements halted for top appointments Under the directive, the appointment or relief of senior officials will no longer be announced through the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) or other public broadcast media. The move signals a shift toward what the circular calls a more “discreet, institutionalized protocol” for personnel changes.…

Unity State clashes: Kaljak returns to SSPDF control BENTIU — South Sudan’s national army said it has taken control of Kaljak Payam headquarters in Rubkona County, Unity State, after clashes that prompted opposition forces to leave the area, according to state government and opposition sources (Sudans Post). Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes Keah Ruai told Sudans Post that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces moved into Kaljak on Tuesday and brought the area under control (Sudans Post). Government message: stability restored and positions held Nyakenya said an SPLA-IO attempt to regain control was repulsed, describing the incident as settled.…

Yambio incident raises questions in Western Equatoria A South Sudanese journalist drowned this week in the Nakpangau river in Yambio town, according to authorities and an eyewitness. The death has drawn attention from local leaders and journalist unions as police begin to clarify what happened. Eyewitness account of the Nakpangau river drowning Eyewitness Justin Kirima Paul said Matia Samuel Timatio, 34, went to the river alone on Wednesday evening. Paul told Radio Tamazuj he saw Timatio arrive on a motorcycle taxi, locally known as a bodaboda. “I was seated at Yambio Resort Hotel when I saw a young man arrive…

Jonglei NGO Vehicles: SPLM/A-IO Denial Explained JUBA — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) says it did not issue instructions to confiscate vehicles belonging to humanitarian organisations in Jonglei State. The group describes the alleged directive shared on social media as a forgery and says any seized assets should be returned. Forgery Claim and Internal Probe: What the Spokesperson Said In a statement dated Thursday, January 8, 2026, SPLM/A-IO spokesperson Pal Mai Deng said the circulating order, allegedly signed by Sector Three Commander Maj. Gen. John Luk Bayak, was not authentic. He said Gen. Luk neither wrote nor…

Aweng Payam land dispute turns deadly Authorities in Twic County, Warrap State, say a land ownership disagreement in Aweng Payam escalated into violent clashes that left two people dead, including a woman. Officials describe the incident as a sharp reminder of how quickly local tensions can spiral into insecurity. Twic County suspends three chiefs amid inquiry A resolution from the Office of the Executive Director of Twic County says three traditional leaders have been suspended: Executive Chief Muor-ter Riing Yuot, Executive Chief Anei Manyang Anei, and Sub-Chief Deng Anei. The document links the suspensions to allegations of incitement and involvement…

Western Equatoria nationality documents: a growing bottleneck Civilians in Western Equatoria State say severe shortages of nationality cards and long delays in passport issuance are blocking everyday plans, from education to cross-border travel. Residents and local officials describe a system under pressure, with backlogs stretching over years, according to Radio Tamazuj. Passports and nationality cards: impact on education and jobs Across several counties, applicants say the delays affect students seeking scholarships and young adults pursuing work outside the country. Residents point to limited processing capacity at local offices, shortages of cards, and prolonged waiting periods with scarce feedback on application…

Juba’s Nyakuron Cultural Centre and a packed youth crowd Backstage at the Nyakuron Cultural Centre on a recent Thursday, hip-hop artist Wigo Young Soon waited for his slot as heavy rain hit the roof. He repeated a quiet mantra—“I believe in myself”—before debuting his track “Juba to London” (The Christian Science Monitor). Inside, young South Sudanese spectators ate popcorn, chatted, flirted and filmed the acts on their phones. For many in the hall, the show offered a short, vivid break from a tense national mood and daily pressures (The Christian Science Monitor). South Sudan conflict context: independence, war and uneasy…

Abiemnhom cross-border peace conference postponed A cross-border peace conference set for Tuesday in Abiemnhom, within South Sudan’s Ruweng Administrative Area, was postponed after disagreement emerged between the Misseriya and Mayom communities over cattle migration corridors. Organisers described the meeting as a grassroots effort to reduce local tensions. Communities involved in the UNMISS-backed initiative The planned conference was expected to bring together the Ngok Dinka from the Abyei Administrative Area, the Arab Misseriya from Sudan’s West Kordofan State, and representatives from Ruweng and Mayom County in Unity State. The aim was to address cross-border concerns linked to seasonal movements and coexistence.…