Author: The South Sudan Herald

South Sudan’s Shaky Independence Legacy When South Sudan raised its flag in 2011, crowds hoped for swift nation-building. Yet a decade later, institutions remain fragile, and patronage networks shape most decisions. Researchers argue President Salva Kiir has relied on trusted cabinet allies and his Dinka base to maintain control, often keeping rivals at arm’s length while essential reforms stall. Election Delays and Political Calculus The long-promised polls originally planned for 2024 were recently shifted to 2026 (Reuters), with State House citing insecurity. Analysts contend each postponement extends the transitional period, allowing elite figures additional time to consolidate resources and avoid…

Withdrawn Forces Signal Opening On Sunday, self-proclaimed Gawaar-Nuer prophet Makuach Tut Khor ordered fighters to leave positions near Malakal, softening a three-week standoff that had alarmed residents and aid groups. Tut framed the move as a reciprocal act after President Salva Kiir released 74 bodyguards linked to opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny, describing the gesture as “all we asked for” (SSNN). Machar Case Reaches Critical Hour A special court in Juba is expected to decide Monday on charges that Machar’s lawyers call a misapplication of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Government attorneys have struggled to outline clear grounds, while defense…

Entebbe Seizure Sparks Diplomatic Ripples On a busy Friday morning, Ugandan security agents halted two Germans and a Ugandan at Entebbe International Airport, confiscating boxes of files linked to late SPLM leader Dr. John Garang. Police spokesman Patrick Onyango explained that the travellers lacked export clearance for what authorities deem “sensitive national heritage,” triggering an immediate investigation spanning Kampala, Juba, and Berlin. Historical Value of the Papers Scholars consider Garang’s letters, field notes and peace-talk drafts vital for reconstructing East Africa’s recent history, especially the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that later enabled South Sudan’s independence. “These are primary sources that…

Juba Thrills to a Lightning Finish Saturday night in Juba ended abruptly when James Majok dispatched Tanzania’s Emmanuel Shija before the third-round bell could ring, turning a scheduled five-round contest into a two-round masterclass witnessed by a packed arena. Technical Brilliance on Display From the opening seconds Majok blended rapid footwork with precise elbows, confirming the form that already earned him World Muay Thai Association and Organization belts. Shija’s guard wilted under the pressure, prompting officials to wave off the bout for fighter safety. Champ Speaks of Purpose Beyond Victory “I fight for every young South Sudanese who chooses discipline…

Breakthrough in Lokiliri Case Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede told residents of Lokiliri Payam that security operatives have positively identified the five missing children after weeks of coordinated tracking. He said the alleged abductors were arrested in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and are awaiting trial under local jurisdiction, marking a significant step toward justice. Coordinated Government Action Obede’s office confirmed that a multidisciplinary task force is preparing the children’s safe transfer back to Juba County, with psychosocial support primed for their arrival. “The state remains steadfast in protecting every citizen,” the deputy governor noted, underscoring ongoing patrols along known…

International Day of Peace Celebrated in Rumbek Drumming echoed across Rumbek Freedom Square as state officials, community elders and UN partners observed the International Day of Peace under the motto “Act Now for Peace in South Sudan.” The gathering reflected renewed confidence in Lakes State’s security gains. Christopher Muchiru, heading the UNMISS field office, praised Governor Rin Tueny Mabor for turning the once-volatile province into what he called “a haven of peace,” adding that humanitarian agencies can now reach remote settlements with fewer escorts. Youth Framed as Agents of Stability Addressing hundreds of students draped in white and blue, Muchiru…

A Crossroads for Africa’s Newest Nation South Sudan, only a dozen years old, is deciding its trajectory after years of conflict. Political distrust, economic strain and humanitarian scars remain, yet many citizens insist the next chapter must be written in calmer ink than the turbulent prologue. SSNMC Vision under Moro Isaac Jenesio Hon. Moro Isaac Jenesio’s South Sudan National Movement for Change positions itself as a bridge to that calmer era, asserting that leadership must plant durable institutions rather than fleeting victories. “Our struggle is generational, not seasonal,” Jenesio told supporters in Juba. Peace, Unity and Institutional Trust Central to…

Sudden gunfire jolts Nagero County Residents of Nagero County woke to crackling gunfire around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, as armed elements of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition stormed a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces barracks, local officials disclosed to Radio Tamazuj. Initial reports indicate the attackers retreated after a brief exchange, leaving one government soldier wounded while the army maintained control of the site. Civilians scatter into surrounding bush The surprise barrage triggered panic among villagers, many of whom abandoned homes for nearby thickets and riverbanks, fearing a prolonged clash. County Executive Director Jackson Wani said normalcy is ‘gradually returning’,…

UN Address Highlights Progress Claims Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Vice-President Josephine Joseph Lagu Yanga painted an encouraging picture of South Sudan, telling diplomats the 2018 peace accord is 60 percent implemented and has ushered in relative calm, voluntary returns and a record 40 percent female representation in government. Analyst Disputes Peace Metrics Juba-based policy analyst Boboya James Edmond argued the figures were overly optimistic, warning that sporadic clashes from Upper Nile to Western Equatoria continue to disrupt daily life and undermine confidence in the fragile transitional administration. Debate Over Women’s Representation While Lagu celebrated surpassing the 35…

Opening of a Charged Trial Monday’s nationally broadcast hearing in Juba placed former vice-president Riek Machar behind a steel enclosure, marking his first public appearance since March house arrest and opening a treason case that could reshape South Sudan’s fragile political equilibrium. Charges Outline and Historical Context Prosecutors link Machar to an assault on a government garrison earlier in the year, a flashpoint in the uneasy 2018 peace accord that ended a war claiming roughly 400,000 lives. They add allegations of murder, terrorism, conspiracy and crimes against humanity. Defence’s Jurisdiction Challenge Lead counsel Gar Nhial contended that the High Court…