Author: The South Sudan Herald

Rise of Red Belt Vigilantes in Jonglei In recent weeks Jonglei State has witnessed the rise of a self-styled vigilante known locally as the Red Belt. Equipped with uniforms, machine guns and pick-ups, its members patrol Bor Town and adjacent cattle camps, claiming to shield residents from rustlers and child abductors. Officials in Juba, however, disagree. Governor Dr Riek Gai Kok and Bor County Commissioner Samuel Ateny Pech have publicly classified the outfit as a criminal network accused of robberies and assaults on security personnel. Government Reaction and Community Perceptions The national army’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Paul Nang…

End of Temporary Protected Status The United States Department of Homeland Security announced that Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese nationals will end on 5 January. The decision, released in an official statement, removes a legal shield that has allowed many to reside and work lawfully on American soil. Officials set 5 January as the effective date, giving recipients only a short window to adjust their circumstances before the protection lapses. Political Context in South Sudan South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, continues to experience political volatility and sporadic violence, prompting thousands to seek refuge far beyond its borders. Washington’s…

Policy Shift in Washington The Department of Homeland Security has announced that Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan will end on 5 January, citing security gains in Juba and surrounding regions. Officials argue ongoing peace talks and reduced large-scale fighting justify the change, yet data from the United Nations still lists two million displaced internally. Diaspora Faces New Uncertainty Roughly 88,000 South Sudanese are thought to live in the United States; many arrived after 2013 violence. Losing TPS threatens work permits and access to health coverage, community leaders say. Grace Ukel, a nurse in Omaha, tells our magazine, ‘We fled…

US Decision on South Sudan TPS Status The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced that Temporary Protected Status for nationals of South Sudan will terminate on 5 January. The agency released a brief statement outlining the policy change, ending a measure once designed to shield people fleeing conflict. Key Deadline: 5 January Enforcement From early January, holders of the soon-to-expire document will need alternative legal pathways or face possible return. The Department has set no grace period beyond the stated date, making the coming weeks decisive for South Sudanese families scattered across American cities. Political Instability Fuels Displacement…

Airwaves and Aftermath Lodiong Godfrey Okech phoned Voice of Freedom 93.0 FM on a routine afternoon. He politely suggested moving security roadblocks away from crowded homes to ease tensions. Hours later, witnesses say plain-clothes officers located him in Magwi County, beat him, and held him briefly at a local station. He was released the same evening without charge. Legal Guarantees Under Pressure Article 24 of South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution promises citizens the right to express opinions without fear. Journalists’ union leader Patrick Oyet called the assault a “blatant violation” of that clause. Advocates argue the 2024 National Security Service Bill…

Security Council Alarm on Abyei At the United Nations, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee warned that security in Abyei is sliding fast, citing fresh violations of the zone’s demilitarized, weapon-free status during her briefing to the Security Council on Wednesday. Rapid Support Forces in the North Pobee reported that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces have entrenched positions near Amiet Market in northern Abyei, erecting illegal checkpoints and detaining local protection committee members, actions she said are stoking mistrust between Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities. South Sudanese Deployment in the South In southern Abyei, elements of the South Sudan…

Demarcation debate in Central Equatoria Kapuri North sprawls along dusty tracks outside Juba, yet on maps the area barely exists. Residents argue this cartographic silence denies them rights. Area chief John Malou said diverse South Sudanese tribes coexist there, but without clear borders officials hesitate to budget for water points or classrooms. Daily struggle for water, schools, clinics Households trek to distant boreholes, pay costly motorcycle fares to hospitals, and teach children under mango trees because no public facilities have reached them. Resident Samuel Rumbe recalled that since settling in 2015 no government convoy or aid truck has visited, leaving…

Silent Emergency in South Sudan International food security analysts warn that South Sudan stands on the brink of a deeper hunger emergency, with updated IPC data forecasting 7.56 million people—over half the population—will confront severe food shortages by 2026. Within that grim outlook, 28,000 residents of Nasir and Fangak counties already meet the IPC’s highest alert, labelled “catastrophic”. In humanitarian shorthand, this represents starvation conditions where even full assistance would only prevent widespread loss of life. Violence, Shocks, and Empty Granaries The IPC panel attributes the worsening trend primarily to continued violence. Sporadic clashes between government forces and armed opposition…

Juba Watches Another Oath Ceremony At State House in Juba, President Salva Kiir presided over the swearing-in of newly appointed officials, stressing national service above personal ambition. The televised ritual renewed public attention on his continuing bid to translate reform pledges into administrative reality. Promises of Reform Resurface Kiir urged the officeholders to privilege “the interests of the nation above all else,” echoing remarks made after earlier reshuffles. Supporters say the appeal signals consistency, while skeptics argue that rhetorical constancy has yet to dismantle entrenched networks. Recycled Appointees Return Tut Gatluak Manime reclaimed his seat as Presidential Adviser on National…

Renewed Conflict Sparks Mass Displacement Fresh clashes across Upper Nile, Jonglei, Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal have scattered more than 445,000 people in 2025, the International Committee of the Red Cross reports, warning that civilians are fleeing repeatedly as front lines shift. Climate Threats Intensify Humanitarian Needs Severe floods, erratic rains and pockets of drought have struck simultaneously, affecting over 900,000 residents. ICRC says climate shocks forced 300,000 additional displacements this year, stretching water points, farms and shelters already weakened by years of insecurity. Civilians Share Stories of Survival In Yambio, mother of four Grace Wani…