Author: The South Sudan Herald

Justice on Wheels Reaches Aweil West A dusty field in Nyamlell has turned into a courtroom as South Sudan’s judiciary, backed by UNDP, started a month-long circuit court. The move targets villages previously cut off from formal justice by distance and cost. Why the Pilot Matters Residents once rode hours to Aweil town, paying for transport, meals, and lodging before a judge could even hear them. Commissioner Abuol Akol argues the travelling bench demonstrates that the state is serious about equal legal protection. Voices from the Ground John Dut recalls selling goats to fund previous trips. “This court here means…

Yei Teachers College Graduation Highlights In a vibrant ceremony in Yei town, 126 students collected diplomas from Yei Teachers Training College, marking the institution’s 11th graduation. The theme “Educators Shaping Futures” framed both celebration and responsibility as South Sudan navigates one of the continent’s most strained teacher pipelines. Gender Balance and Academic Excellence The cohort reverses historic imbalances: 75 graduates are women, a ratio applauded by education officials. Valedictorian Anite Ruth termed her achievement “unbelievable” and urged peers to embrace a profession often undervalued yet decisive for national reconstruction. Classmate Boboya Francis welcomed the gender tilt, noting women educators “have…

Historic partnership energises athletics In Juba, telecom operator Digitel and the South Sudan Athletics Federation have sealed a 10-year agreement designed to propel track and field across the nation. Observers describe the pact as one of the longest private-sector commitments in the country’s sporting history. SSAF Secretary-General Marco Akol said the alliance rests on a “shared commitment to development”, noting that reliable funding allows coaches to plan seasons, scout talent and expand domestic meets without the usual uncertainty that shadows emerging federations. Funding, tech and infrastructure promises Digitel pledged 10,000 US dollars each year, complemented by logistical support for the…

Barren Roads, Fragile Lives in Aweil North The drive to Ariath in Northern Bahr el Ghazal carves across cracked plains that bake under merciless sun or sink into mud after rain. For families, the same treacherous road separates children such as 11-year-old Aher from the insulin keeping them alive. Insulin: From Vials to Modern Pens Initially, Aher endured daily injections drawn from glass vials, each dose delivered by a stiff syringe his father cleaned over a charcoal flame. ‘He hated them but we had no choice,’ recalls Lual, who traded sacks of sorghum just to refill the supply. MSF introduced…

Presidential decrees reshape South Sudan government A Friday evening broadcast on state television announced a sweeping reshuffle ordered by President Salva Kiir, touching national ministries, two strategic states and several independent commissions. Observers say such mid-term adjustments are customary tools for recalibrating policy delivery. Agriculture and Rural Portfolios Reassigned At the national level, Dr John Ogoto Kanisio leaves Agriculture and Food Security, succeeded by Dr Michael Roberto Kenyi, while Anthony Majak Akuoch Malek replaces Professor Mathiew Gordon Udo at Cooperatives and Rural Development. Professor Udo quickly returned as Technical Advisor, underscoring the president’s preference for continuity with repositioning. Warrap State…

Fresh Surge of Violence in Cueibet At least eight people were killed and seven injured as armed youth from the Ruruot and Panyar sections exchanged fire in Citcok Payam, Cueibet County, from Wednesday night into Thursday. The confrontation forms part of a long cycle of revenge attacks that has haunted Lakes State despite several local peace deals and government backed reconciliations over the past four years. Conflicting Casualty Reports Highlight Uncertainty Acting state information minister William Koji Kirjok confirmed eight fatalities, saying the wounded were rushed to Cueibet hospital, with some referrals to Rumbek and Juba for specialised care. However,…

Regional Oversight Milestone The election of South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority chief John Woja to chair the EAC-CASSOA Board places the continent’s youngest nation at the core of East Africa’s flight safety architecture. The one-year mandate signals renewed confidence in Juba’s regulatory reforms and managerial maturity. SSCAA describes the appointment as a landmark for both the country and the bloc, noting that Woja succeeds Kenya’s Emile Arao and inherits a docket focused on harmonising procedures, training auditors and aligning regional codes with ICAO benchmarks. Implications for East African Standards Analysts in Nairobi and Kigali argue that a South Sudanese voice…

Global Spotlight on Children’s Rights World Children’s Day, observed every 20 November, renews attention to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, reminding governments that every girl and boy is entitled to survive, learn and thrive, regardless of geography or circumstance. This year’s theme, “My Day, My Right,” underscores the universality of those entitlements, resonating powerfully across Africa where rapid demographic growth makes children the continent’s most strategic asset. South Sudan’s Unique Challenges In South Sudan, decades of conflict, flooding and economic volatility leave young people confronting some of the world’s toughest conditions, with limited access to classrooms, clinics,…

Tragedy Strikes Ngemi Village Ngemi village in Aweil Centre is mourning Amou Mabior, a young mother who died last week after a snake bit her while she breast-fed her three-week-old baby. Health workers say the fatality highlights a broader spike in envenomations reported across Northern Bahr el Ghazal since heavy rains began. Rapid Radio Appeal Mobilises Aid Luka Lual Aleu Jok, the state Health Education Focal Point, immediately went on local stations such as Akol Yam FM, urging officials to assist the bereaved family. Within hours, Governor Simon Ober Mawut donated two million South Sudanese pounds, later adding 500,000, according…

Abrupt Shake-Up During Exams Aweil North County Commissioner Deng Kuel Kuel on Tuesday suspended eleven education officials, including County Education Director Abraham Garang Jeluel. The announcement landed as hundreds of pupils began crucial end-of-year exams, heightening anxiety across Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. Key Figures Left in Limbo Those removed comprise the director, his deputy, six area supervisors, and three senior teachers. Jeluel said he received no explanation and was told simply to hand over duties “to anyone of my staff” until further notice (Jeluel). Commissioner Stays Tight-Lipped Commissioner Kuel confirmed the action to journalists, labelling it an “administrative issue”…