Author: The South Sudan Herald

Exclusive Breastfeeding: Still the Gold Standard Health authorities in Juba continue to label exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months as the safest nutrition strategy for infants, strengthening immunity and reducing household medical costs. Dr. Mary Lado of the Ministry of Health notes that breast milk adapts to a baby’s changing needs, calling it “dynamic living tissue unmatched by substitutes” (Ministry of Health). Safe Expression and Storage Techniques Nutrition officer Elizabeth Athanasius advises mothers to wash hands, use sterile transparent containers, and express milk before leaving home so caregivers can feed the infant through the day (World Vision). Jackline Phanuel,…

Solar Energy Lights Up Health HQ The Ministry of Health in Brazzaville switched on a 100-kilowatt solar array this week, marking the first time its headquarters can operate entirely off-grid during power cuts. The system, supplied by the United Nations Development Programme, dovetails with Congo’s climate targets. Health officials say refrigeration for vaccines, electronic medical records and disease surveillance servers will now run without interruptions, a chronic challenge in a city that still experiences load shedding. Strategic Health Governance Boost “Reliable electricity translates into reliable data,” noted Minister of Health Gilbert Mokoki during the commissioning ceremony. He argued that uninterrupted…

Rising Star of Juba Tracks At Bulluk Playground’s red-dirt oval, 18-year-old Umnia Emmanuel Moses streaks down lane three, her worn sneakers biting the clay. The South Sudanese sprinter already owns two trophies and a growing medal haul. Yet she insists numbers on a stopwatch matter less than what they unlock. “Each split second proves refugees can achieve,” she tells me, sweat still shining on her brow after a dusk workout that outlasted the generator’s floodlights. Challenges Facing Refugee Athletes Like many urban refugees in Juba, Umnia juggles school fees, rent, and training costs without steady sponsorship. Tracks are often pitted,…

South Sudan Embraces the CRPD President Salva Kiir’s February 2023 signature on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities placed South Sudan among 190 nations legally bound to protect citizens with impairments. Officials say the treaty is now the benchmark for domestic policy, guiding ministries toward accessible infrastructure, inclusive education and equitable employment. Workshop Puts Faith in Action From 14–15 August 2025 the Juba Grand Hotel hosted clerics, imams and disability advocates under the banner Faith in Action: Advancing the Implementation of the CRPD for Inclusive Communities. Funded by the Dutch Foreign Ministry and seven NGOs, the…

Historic Handovers Mark Fresh Start Thursday’s handover of one hundred civilian firearms in Mankien signalled a new chapter for Unity State’s security project. Governor Justice Riek Bim Top, flanked by chiefs and legislators, applauded the symbolic transfer, framing it as evidence that home-grown solutions can outpace coercive crackdowns. Community Leaders Drive Voluntary Disarmament Information Minister Engineer Gatwich Bipal Both told reporters that chiefs from all eleven payams collected the weapons after last month’s peace conference endorsed dialogue-led disarmament. Traditional authorities, he noted, are translating resolutions into action, persuading youth that turning in rifles today safeguards their herds and families tomorrow.…

Border Incident Sparks Concern On 28 July, residents of Kangapo II Payam in South Sudan’s Kajo-Keji County awoke to what local officials describe as an unexpected presence of Ugandan People’s Defence Force troops. The state government quickly branded the event a breach of sovereignty. Government Calls For Calm Dialogue Meeting in Juba, Governor Emmanuel’s cabinet urged the national authorities to activate diplomatic channels before the situation hardens. Acting information minister Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado emphasized that, “peaceful dialogue should be expedited to address this issue within the shortest time possible.” His appeal aligns with last week’s creation of a joint investigation…

Rising Juvenile Cases in Juba At Juba National Prison, rows of teenagers study behind high walls, a picture that troubles social workers who track juvenile detention across Central Equatoria. Advocates report that theft, street fights and parental disputes are the main reasons hundreds of minors end up incarcerated. The Rule of Law Forum, a civil-society coalition, estimates that more than 1,000 juveniles are held nationwide, with Juba, Wau and Rumbek facilities routinely operating above capacity. Root Causes: Drugs, Poverty, Peer Pressure Gima Robert of the Road to Economic Development Organisation blames a toxic mix of cheap narcotics, peer influence and…

National Sports Strategy Gains Momentum At the South Sudan Football Federation congress in Juba, Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Joseph Geng Akech unveiled plans to align popular community tournaments with formal state systems, declaring that “the real pathway to international play is through academies and clubs.” Community Tournaments Under Review Grass-roots competitions have flourished as peace-building events, yet officials note uneven rules, limited coaching, and occasional crowd violence that hamper talent growth. The ministry will now license events through state federations, establishing calendars, age brackets, and coaching standards. Dr. Geng argued that coherent pathways can lift the country’s FIFA…

Citizenship Initiative in Abyei Port Sudan’s transitional authorities are granting Sudanese nationality to thousands of Ngok Dinka families residing in the hotly disputed Abyei enclave. Officials say the move clarifies civil status for people long caught between two states, yet critics view it as a wartime enlistment drive. Strategic Calculations Amid Protracted War Since clashes with the Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023, the national army has struggled to secure manpower and supply lines across the oil-rich borderlands. Analysts argue that new Ngok recruits could reinforce SAF positions near Nyala and create a voter pool favorable to Khartoum should…

Decrees Prompt SPLM-IO Outcry President Salva Kiir signed a cluster of decrees on 13 August removing eight SPLM-IO figures from parliament, the cabinet and Upper Nile State. The move gained momentum after earlier dismissals on 6 August, sparking sharp response from the opposition movement. Eng. Joseph Malwal Dong called the expulsions “a blatant breach” of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement, demanding immediate reinstatement. The Political Bureau warned unilateral decisions risk reversing fragile gains achieved since the 2020 formation of the unity government. Government’s Position Presidential press secretary Ateny Wek Ateny told national radio the dismissals were “purely administrative and constitutional,” arguing…