Author: The South Sudan Herald

Boma National Park’s Untapped Allure Boma National Park sprawls across the eastern grasslands of South Sudan, sheltering vast antelope migrations rarely seen elsewhere on the continent. Decades of conflict isolated the sanctuary, leaving its observation towers, trails, and visitor huts in varying states of disrepair. Minister Denay Chagor’s Immediate Action Plan Newly appointed Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism Minister Denay Chagor landed in Pibor within twenty-four hours of taking office. After surveying derelict camps and the sweeping plains, he told state television that reviving tourism is a national urgency that can no longer be deferred. Community Partnership and Local Awareness Greater…

Shots Echo in Yambio Night Residents of Napere, Masia and central Yambio say the rattle of automatic weapons began at dusk on Saturday and did not fade until dawn. Many families huddled indoors as sporadic bursts lit the sky and dogs barked at unseen shooters. Hospital Confirms Fatalities By morning, two motionless bodies reached Yambio State Hospital. Medical director Dr. Konjo Samuel confirmed both succumbed to gunshot wounds and were declared dead on arrival, their identities unknown. “Further examinations are underway,” he told Radio Tamazuj. Authorities Launch Probe Acting Minister of Information James Abdallah Arona appealed for patience, noting that…

A Scholar’s Stand Juba awoke to surprise as Prof. John Akec, ex-Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, publicly withdrew from consideration for any ministerial portfolio. On Facebook he wrote that he preferred to remain “a mere teacher at large” rather than join a patronage-laden cabinet. Patronage Under Spotlight Akec’s statement targeted what he called a culture where “ministerial appointments are regarded as family fortune.” His timing resonated; several relatives of President Salva Kiir and senior officials currently occupy influential posts, intensifying perceptions of concentrated power in the young nation. Faces in Familiar Places Recent appointments include Adut Salva Kiir…

Akobo Arrival Raises Stakes Dr Riek Gai Kok landed at Akobo on Saturday, ending weeks of speculation and jolting Jonglei’s delicate political balance. Security aides described a calm reception, yet murmurs among residents hinted at deeper unease over the governor’s mandate. Dispute Rooted in Peace Accord The row dates to March 2025, when President Salva Kiir replaced Mahjoub Biel Turuk with Kok, reallocating a seat reserved for the South Sudan Opposition Alliance. Chapter 1.15 of the revitalized agreement gives Jonglei to SSOA, a provision both SPLM/A-IO and alliance lawyers say cannot be amended unilaterally. SPLM/A-IO’s Strategic Dilemma For the SPLM/A-IO,…

Central Equatoria Leadership Reshaped In a swiftly broadcast decree from Juba, Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony removed two senior officials and elevated seven others, marking one of the most extensive staff changes since he assumed office in 2020 (state decree released Wednesday). James Tatu Guma exits the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports yet immediately returns as Executive Director in the Governor’s Office, underscoring Adil’s preference for familiar expertise. Insurance regulator member Issac Batali Santino is similarly shifted to the influential post of Private Secretary. Fresh Faces in the Governor’s Office Alongside Guma and Santino, the Governor introduced…

Growing Urgency Around the 2026 Ballot Inside Yambio, the Western Equatoria State Elections Commission has sounded an early alarm. Chairperson Simon Bakama told reporters that credible polls hinge on immediate material and financial backing from government, civil society and international partners, given the countdown toward December 2026. Funding Gaps Exposed Bakama revealed that the state high committee operates without allocations from the National Elections Commission. Desks and chairs donated by UNMISS furnish the office, yet no budget exists for outreach in the ten counties. “We cannot mobilise women, youth or persons with disabilities on promises alone,” he noted. Rural Civic…

Sight Restored in Warrap State This week, Kuajok’s main hospital echoed with relief as 786 patients left the operating room able to see again. The Catholic Diocese of Wau, backed by Germany and South Sudan’s health ministry, wrapped up its fourth free eye-care mission in Warrap State. Mass Cataract Campaign in Kuajok The team arrived on 3 November with supplies for 1,200 cases. By closing day, it had completed 755 cataract extractions and 31 additional procedures, including pterygium removal and enucleation. Coordinators say no severe complications were recorded. Local Surgeons Lead the Theatre “All the doctors were South Sudanese,” noted…

A Scholar’s Unexpected Decision In a move that surprised many in Juba, renowned academic Professor John Akec announced his withdrawal from consideration for any ministerial post in South Sudan. Writing on his Facebook page, the former University of Juba vice-chancellor said public office has degenerated into a ‘family fortune’, overshadowing merit and patriotic service. Rising Debate on Nepotism Akec’s critique echoes long-standing frustrations among citizens who link political appointments to lineage rather than competence, an issue analysts say impedes institutional growth. Political scientists at the University of Juba argue that such practices risk alienating qualified youth and may weaken confidence…

Rapid restoration after drone strikes South Sudan’s oil industry has bounced back within days of twin drone strikes on Sudanese processing hubs, with crude exports now flowing normally toward the Red Sea, the Ministry of Petroleum confirmed in Juba on Wednesday. Details of the November attacks Unmanned aircraft first hit the Heglig Central Processing Facility on 13 November, firing three missiles that damaged a workshop and laboratory and claimed one worker’s life, prompting an immediate shutdown at Pump Station 1. A second strike on 15 November disabled Al Jabalain’s processing plant and power unit, compelling operators to halt flows as…

Ambitious National Exercise Begins Juba’s Freedom Hall turned into a policy workshop as Vice President Josephine Lagu inaugurated South Sudan’s first national headcount and biometric registration. The exercise sets out to verify every public employee and erase the ‘ghost worker’ phenomenon haunting state finances. Why Payroll Reform Matters Standing before ministers, donors and trade union leaders, Lagu framed the audit as “a national priority and personal mission.” She insisted that accountability, fair pay and morale depend on clean data, warning that no institution will be allowed to obstruct the process. Technology and World Bank Support Officials say outdated paper files…