Author: The South Sudan Herald

Government steps up enforcement The South Sudanese Ministry of Labour has ordered every company, NGO and public body to confirm that all foreign staff carry valid work permits. The circular, dated 3 December 2025 and signed by Undersecretary Deng Kenjok, marks the toughest stance yet on undocumented employment. Legal backbone and sanctions Article 16(3) of the 2017 Labour Act requires a ministry-issued permit for every non-national worker. Employers hiring without one now face prosecution, heavy fines and possible closure, while undocumented staff risk deportation, according to the ministry notice. “Non-compliance will be met with swift and decisive legal action,” the…

Passport Shortage Sparks Debate A sudden shortage of passport booklets has forced South Sudan’s Civil Registry to issue business passports and emergency travel documents to patients needing urgent treatment abroad, Eye Radio reported on Wednesday. Akec Advocates Business Discipline Former University of Juba Vice-Chancellor Prof John Akec told Eye Radio that the recurring shortage illustrates deeper flaws in public-sector management. He argued that a passport fee should cover production, salaries, software and maintenance, ensuring a self-financing service able to meet demand year-round. Political Interference Under Scrutiny Akec cited overstaffing, weak leadership and factional pressures as factors blunting efficiency in NilePet,…

Legislative Drive to Curb Parental Neglect in Western Equatoria Western Equatoria State lawmakers have opened debate on a bill that would criminalise men who impregnate women and then refuse to provide support, a phenomenon that local officials say is fuelling poverty and school dropout among young mothers. Rationale Behind the Bill Assembly Speaker Ann Tuna Richard told national broadcaster Radio Miraya that the number of single mothers has reached “alarming levels”, while many fathers “enjoy life as though they have no responsibility”, leaving women to carry the physical, emotional and financial burdens alone. Analysts note that the situation is compounded…

Swift Justice Arrives in Jonglei A month-long mobile court session wrapped up in Bor on 26 November after reviewing more than 100 case files. Officials confirmed that 82 inmates walked free, easing pressure on the Jonglei State Central Prison and signalling progress in South Sudan’s drive for speedier justice. How the Court Operated Four judges—two with High Court authority, two from the County Court—heard minor and serious matters daily inside the prison grounds. Backed by UNDP and the national judiciary, the team prioritised prolonged or arbitrary detentions, ensuring each defendant finally met a bench. Numbers Behind the Backlog UNDP Rule…

Early morning strikes sow fear Local residents in Ayod, Uror and Nyirol counties woke to thunderous explosions on Tuesday. Witnesses reported shells landing near homesteads shortly after 9 a.m., describing the episode as the heaviest bombardment since sporadic clashes reignited this year. Casualties and communication blackout In Ayod’s Wau area, community member James said eight civilians, five of them women, died instantly. “We are burying them now,” he told local radio. Limited network coverage meant relatives struggled to verify injuries in neighbouring hamlets. Uror County coordinator Chot Jak confirmed shelling in Pieri Payam but could not reach the site. “The…

SPLM Maintains Election Timetable Speaking after a high-level meeting in Juba, SPLM Secretary-General Dr. Akol Paul Kordit confirmed that the ruling movement will contest nationwide polls scheduled for December 2026, the final milestone of the extended transition. He framed the timetable as a direct response to President Salva Kiir’s directive that “the SPLM will not go in reverse,” underscoring the party’s intent to keep faith with the Revitalized Peace Agreement roadmap. Reinvigorating Liberation Ideals Officials said the coming campaign will emphasise the core ideals of the liberation struggle, a narrative still resonant among rural voters. “We are going to reinforce…

Conflict Disrupts Mundri Classrooms Clashes between SPLA-IO, NAS and SSPDF forces flared in late September around Kediba, quickly spreading through Lakama’di Payam. Overnight, nearly 30,000 residents fled, and every primary classroom in Mundri East fell silent. Displacement Strangles Exam Season Teachers report that third-term tests never began. Lakama’di Primary School alone counted more than 500 pupils idled, while senior candidates lost the chance to earn certificates that unlock secondary places. County statistics show 68 candidates were registered for Primary Eight in Kediba, yet only 60 sat; in Lakama’di, 12 of 32 stayed away, trapped by insecurity or distance. Voices From…

Southeast CAR Security Unravels The southeast prefecture of Haut-Mbomou has slipped into alarming violence, a new International Crisis Group study warns. Roughly two hundred people have died since mid-2022, and thousands now shelter in makeshift sites or across porous borders. Origins of the AAKG Movement In 2021, Zandé chiefs authorised village defence committees to repel roaming rebels and reopen blocked trade tracks. The units later coalesced as AAKG, a militia rooted more in community protection than ideology, analysts note. From Integration to Desertion Early Russian instructors offered basic drills before Bangui incorporated several hundred fighters into the national army. Irregular…

Mounting Obstacles to Arrests in South Sudan Major General James Monday Enoka says daily resistance confronts officers tasked with enforcing court orders, as both armed civilians and uniformed colleagues block arrests across South Sudan, eroding momentum for recent justice sector reforms. He recounts incidents where police stations were stormed and detainees freed at gunpoint, illustrating how unchecked solidarity within some units undermines the judiciary’s credibility and discourages victims from pursuing redress. Intimidation Weakens Investigations According to Enoka, investigators endure pressure from influential figures seeking to shield relatives, while threats of retaliation silence witnesses and compromise evidence collection. He notes that…

Funding Boost from Green Climate Fund Juba confirmed that the Green Climate Fund has granted South Sudan US$50 million, bolstered by a US$2.5 million contribution from Japan, for a five-year climate-adaptation programme aimed at the country’s flood belt. Target States and Beneficiaries Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap—home to hundreds of thousands routinely displaced by rising waters—will pilot the scheme. Officials project direct support for 550,000 residents and indirect benefits for more than one million through smarter water management, climate-resilient farming and early-warning systems. Why the Cash Matters Now Seasonal floods have submerged villages, cut off roads and disrupted harvests…