Author: The South Sudan Herald

Special Court Hearing on Riek Machar Case The special court trial involving suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven co-accused continued on Wednesday with testimony from a prosecution witness, centered on events linked to the March 2025 incident in Nasir (Eye Radio). The session took place with both prosecution and defense present. The sixth accused was again absent, with the court citing health-related reasons, according to the hearing account (Eye Radio). Witness Account: Alleged $6,000 Transfer and Ethiopia Link Prosecution witness Sergeant Mayen Kuol Chan, examined by prosecutor Ajak Mayul, told the court that 6,000 US dollars was…

South Sudan Education Amid Conflict and Recovery In a country where repeated conflict has interrupted schooling and reduced professional capacity, Professor Dr. Isaac Ayii Ayii is often cited as a case study in resilience and institution-building. He is the founder of Ayii University, which emerged from the Juba Institute of Health Sciences (Eye Radio). Isaac Ayii Ayii’s Early Life and Disrupted Schooling Born on March 23, 1983, Isaac Ayii Ayii’s childhood unfolded against a backdrop of instability. According to Eye Radio, he joined the SPLA/M in Ethiopia in 1989 at age seven, under his father’s care, and his education stretched…

Gender Parity in South Sudan Primary Schools South Sudan has reached gender parity in primary education, with girls’ enrolment surpassing boys in three states, according to the Minister of General Education and Instruction. The minister presented the milestone as evidence of steady gains in access to schooling nationwide. Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal The minister identified Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal as the states where girls now outnumber boys in primary schools. The statement frames the trend as a measurable shift in enrolment patterns in those parts of the country. SSBC Interview Highlights…

Renewed clashes raise stakes for South Sudan peace South Sudanese civil society activist Edmund Yakani is calling for the immediate resumption of an inclusive political dialogue, arguing that continued military confrontations among peace deal parties are putting the country’s fragile stability under strain (Eye Radio). His remarks come amid wider concerns about renewed fighting in parts of South Sudan, with observers warning the security and political environment could deteriorate further if dialogue is delayed (Eye Radio). Inclusive political dialogue back on the agenda Speaking to Eye Radio via WhatsApp, Yakani said preparations have restarted for the South Sudanese to South…

South Sudan WFP partnership for lab renovation The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has signed an agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) to support the renovation of the bureau’s laboratory, according to a statement issued by the agency (Eye Radio). The SSNBS said the partnership is expected to improve laboratory services and contribute to trade facilitation, food safety and broader quality assurance across the country (Eye Radio). Testing capacity, standards compliance and public health The agreement also covers renovating and equipping laboratory facilities. The bureau said the upgraded set-up will help it safeguard public health and strengthen…

South Sudan Women’s Empowerment Project Launch in Juba The Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, working with development partners, has launched the South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment Project. The initiative is designed to widen women’s access to livelihoods, entrepreneurial support, and services for survivors of gender-based violence. At the launch in Juba on Tuesday, January 6, Naomi Thomas, speaking on behalf of the ministry’s leadership, described the project as an effort to reinforce national systems that protect survivors and support longer-term recovery. (Eye Radio) GBV Survivor Services: A Coordinated Framework Thomas said a dedicated project component focuses…

Human Rights Watch report on Juba arrests South Sudanese security forces have carried out wide-scale arrests of boys, young men and women in Juba since late June 2025, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Wednesday. The organization alleges detainees faced torture, extortion and forced conscription while held in custody. Anti-gang operation cited as the official rationale Human Rights Watch said the arrests were presented as part of a crackdown on criminal gangs amid reports of rising youth violence in the capital. The group reported that, in at least one raid, police officers beat and raped women in custody.…

Jonglei State clash leaves peace mediator dead A community head chief on a peace mission was killed during recent clashes in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, a county official said Tuesday. The incident was reported from Uror County, where local security conditions have remained volatile in recent days. Duk County commissioner identifies the victim John Chatim Ruei, the Duk County commissioner, said Moses Machot Gierkuach, head chief of Panyang Payam in Duk County, was killed in Yuai town on January 2. The death occurred amid fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the SPLA-IO, according to Ruei. Peace mission…

World Braille Day Highlights Accessibility in South Sudan As the world marked World Braille Day on January 4, the Rajaf Education Center for the Blind issued an appeal for stronger Braille literacy support in South Sudan. The school’s leadership called for expanded teacher training across the country’s ten states and three administrative areas. Braille Literacy and Rights for Visually Impaired Learners Braille is a tactile writing system using raised dots arranged in cells. Since Louis Braille developed it in 1824, it has been widely presented as a cornerstone of literacy for blind learners, supporting not only reading but also autonomy…

SSRA flags revenue leakages at Juba International Airport The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) says significant fiscal leakages are occurring at Juba International Airport, where customs operations are a key national revenue point. The warning was delivered by SSRA Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol, according to Eye Radio. Anyuon said unauthorized tax exemptions are cutting into collections at a time the country needs stronger non-oil revenue streams. He framed the issue as a direct risk to economic stability if compliance gaps remain unaddressed. 24% of customs revenue linked to exemptions without legal basis After inspecting the airport’s customs unit and…