Author: The South Sudan Herald

Presidential Decree Sends Shockwaves in Aweil Residents of Northern Bahr el Ghazal learnt Thursday night that President Salva Kiir had relieved Governor Simon Uber Mawut and appointed Charles Dut Akol, a career soldier, in his stead, according to a decree read on state television. Silence on Motive Fuels Speculation The order offered no explanation, but activists believe months of criticism over alleged arbitrary detentions and stalled anti-corruption drives eroded confidence in Uber’s administration, prompting the overnight change. Civil Society Voices “We saw teachers, doctors and watchdog staff picked up without warrants,” said Garang Malong of the Aweil Civil Society Network,…

South Sudan Troop Deployment at Heglig Sudan’s contested Heglig oil field is now under the guard of South Sudanese soldiers after an agreement between President Salva Kiir, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Defense chief General Paul Nang confirmed the deployment on state radio. Nang said the leaders reached a quick consensus that any firefight near vital infrastructure would harm both economies. ‘The area of Heglig should be protected,’ he stated, emphasizing the joint interest in keeping crude flowing. Economic Significance of Heglig Field Heglig hosts the main processing hub for South Sudanese crude before it…

New Bill on Horizon Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny confirmed in Juba that a Data Protection Bill will reach parliament before 2026, framing it as the ‘missing broth’ that completes South Sudan’s cyber legislation. The draft will complement the Cybercrime and Abuse of Computer Bill 2025, already passed by lawmakers and awaiting presidential assent. Digital Economy Surge in Juba Mobile money platforms, e-commerce start-ups and social media influencers are multiplying in Juba’s fast-growing digital market, where youth connectivity often outruns traditional regulation. Officials argue that investment confidence depends on clear rules for data storage, consent and cross-border transfers. Civil Society…

Emerging Pattern of Political Anxiety South Sudan, a nation born of high hopes in 2011, now navigates an atmosphere thick with alleged plots and whispered coups. Observers note an increasing tendency to portray critics as security threats, a trend that risks hollowing the promise of independence. Reports from civil society groups indicate detentions of politicians, journalists, and officers without formal charges. Lawyers complain of limited access to clients held in intelligence sites, while families await news, unsure whether loved ones will face courtrooms or indefinite silence. Echoes of Khartoum Tactics Veteran lawyer Abel Alier once challenged sham trials in Khartoum…

Chamber Quality Awards Celebrate Excellence Eye Radio, the independent broadcaster based in Juba, was named Best Media House of the Year during the Chamber Quality Awards 2025, an annual gala organised by the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. The mid-week ceremony gathered business leaders, policy makers and civil society to honour performers bolstering the young nation’s economy and services, signalling confidence in sectors ranging from telecommunications to public information. Criteria Behind Eye Radio’s Victory Jury members praised the station’s consistency in accurate, credible and timely reporting, qualities the CEO Stephen Omiri says reflect the ‘legacy power’ of…

Washington Raises the Alarm In a stern communiqué, the U.S. State Department signaled that South Sudan’s transitional authorities are jeopardising a decade-long aid partnership through what it termed ‘egregious violations’ of international commitments. Washington warned that, unless the alleged practices cease immediately, a sweeping review could slash assistance programmes that have channelled more than nine billion dollars to the world’s newest nation since independence in 2011. Alleged Fees and Blockades Aid agencies report facing fresh levies on relief consignments, rising travel costs and procedural delays at checkpoints, factors that they say slow emergency deliveries just as hunger and displacement rise…

Sorghum Tax Triggers Community Backlash Residents of Leer County, Unity State, say a new levy on sacks of sorghum is compounding an already fragile local economy. Many argue the cereal, a staple, should remain untaxed to keep food affordable for low-income households. Traders Face Triple Payment Points Local merchant Katmai Guor revealed that dealers now pay 20,000 South Sudanese Pounds on every sack, split across finance, CID and taxation desks. The system, he said, adds delays and costs that eventually cascade to shoppers. Food Prices Already Climb A single tin of sorghum has reached 40,000 Pounds in Leer’s main market.…

Youth Leadership in Digital Safety World Human Rights Day at the University of Juba turned into a rallying point for safer cyberspace. Students, technologists, and educators examined how South Sudan’s overwhelmingly young population can steer online culture toward respect, inclusion, and empowerment. UN Women’s Call for Responsible Engagement UN Women’s country representative Delphine Serumaga argued that digital literacy is now ‘urgent and essential’ for the under-30 majority. She urged students to reject abusive content and ‘call out’ misconduct, framing youth as the editors of tomorrow’s social narrative. Telecom Sector Strengthens Online Defenses MTN South Sudan chief executive Mapula Bodibe echoed…

Liberation Dreams Versus Today’s Reality In 2011, South Sudan emerged into statehood amid jubilation and sky-high hopes for justice, unity and prosperity. Twelve years later, citizens still grapple with violence, displacement and economic hardship that seem to betray the ideals of the liberation struggle. Many locals interpret the persistent turbulence as a betrayal of the hundreds of thousands who died to free the country. The notion of a “curse” captures their disappointment rather than superstition, underscoring a gap between promised dignity and today’s fractured polity. Legacy of Marginalized Martyrs Battlefield heroes never imagined competing ethnic fiefdoms or politicised memory. Yet…

High-Level Accord on Transitional Tasks On Wednesday, President Salva Kiir gathered leaders of all registered parties in Juba. The closed-door session produced a unanimous agreement to defer the national census and permanent constitution process until after the scheduled December 2026 elections. According to the presidential press office, the move aligns with the Revitalised Peace Agreement yet prioritises a timely ballot over complex technical exercises, seen as vulnerable to political dispute. Reasons Behind the Postponement SPLM Secretary-General Dr Akol Paul Kordit explained that repeated extensions since 2020 risked eroding public confidence. By separating elections from nationwide data collection, parties hope to…