Author: The South Sudan Herald

Persistent Abductions Haunt Jonglei and GPAA Officials in Jonglei State report 591 women and children abducted between 2014 and 2025, underscoring a stubborn trend of violence in South Sudan’s east (Sudans Post). Each figure represents a family fractured, a community forced to cope with uncertainty and fear. Infrastructure and Insecurity Complicate Rescue Efforts State Minister Kuol Choul attributes slow reunifications to insecurity, impassable roads and patchy mobile networks. Volunteers often travel for days, navigating rival militia areas, to confirm a single child’s identity. Limited funds mean every mission demands new negotiations with transporters and local chiefs. Government Actions and Local…

Change of Command at Bilpham HQ At Bilpham headquarters on Thursday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit presided over a ceremonial change of command, confirming Dr. Paul Nang Majok as Chief of Defence Forces, succeeding Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol. The ceremony signalled continuity at the helm of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces. Constitutional Neutrality Emphasised Addressing senior officers, Kiir reminded the ranks that “the gun must never govern politics.” He directed the army to defend territory, citizens and property while refraining from partisan activity, a stance he framed as essential to the country’s fragile peace process. Discipline and Professional Reform Agenda…

Unity State Kaikang Clash Details Fresh gunfire in Kaikang village, Unity State, has put renewed focus on the fragile unification of South Sudan’s rival forces. Witnesses reported an exchange between VIP Protection Unit elements aligned with SPLA-IO and troops of the SSPDF early Wednesday. The brief battle follows a similar incident near Abyei last week, underscoring persistent mistrust even after the 2018 revitalized agreement designed to fold former rebels into a single command structure. Conflicting Accounts from Forces and Government SPLA-IO Sector Two spokesman Kerbino Yai Pazale said his men were ambushed while resting beneath trees en route to Tong…

IMF Ranking Signals Fiscal Pressure New IMF statistics place South Sudan 50th among 86 heavy borrowers, with Special Drawing Rights valued at US$246 million already disbursed. The tally equals the young nation’s entire quota and underscores a growing dependence on multilateral funding amid domestic revenue shortfalls. Oil and Currency Headwinds Amplify Risk The World Bank recently named the South Sudan Pound one of Africa’s weakest, sliding 10 percent this year after pipeline damage in neighbouring Sudan curbed oil exports. Lower foreign earnings tighten dollar supply, making debt service costlier and inflation harder to tame. Reform Conditions and Social Priorities High…

Shock Across East Africa News of Raila Odinga’s passing in India on Wednesday rippled quickly through East Africa, prompting officials in Juba to call an extraordinary sitting the following day. Many citizens followed updates online, underscoring the veteran Kenyan leader’s broad continental resonance. Extraordinary Session in Juba Convened primarily to approve the National Youth Development Policy, the assembly opened with protocol statements. Hon. Bol Joseph Agau, speaking for the South Sudan Opposition Alliance, formally announced Odinga’s death and requested recognition of what he termed “an iconic Pan-African journey”. Deputy Speaker Leads Silent Tribute Deputy Speaker Parmena Awerial Aluong accepted the…

Roundtable on Media and Rights Information Minister Michael Makuei gathered officers of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and leading reporters in Juba to discuss simmering frictions. The closed-door roundtable, organised by the ICT and Postal Services ministry, aimed to reset relations after several high-profile flashpoints. Legal Framework Challenges Makuei praised what he called “the best media laws in the region” yet acknowledged a persistent gap between statute and street practice. He reminded soldiers that their conduct remains governed by military codes, while warning editors that enforcement powers lie firmly with regular forces. Navigating Confidentiality The minister drew a sharp…

Calls for Renewed Dialogue The call for peace overshadowed World Food Day discussions in Juba this week, as civil society leader Grace John Kenyi argued that guns, not drought, keep South Sudanese fields idle (Eye Radio). She urged political rivals to revive the 2018 peace accord, insisting dialogue is “the only path” to safe cultivation and market access, a sentiment echoing through radio waves across the capital. Hunger by the Numbers United Nations assessments place 7.7 million South Sudanese in IPC Phase 3 or worse, meaning more than half the population struggles daily to secure a meal. Upper Nile counties…

Governor’s Security Brief to Presidency Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel met President Salva Kiir in Juba to present an update on Central Equatoria State. He told the Head of State that despite sporadic incidents, the overall security landscape remains “largely stable and manageable”, according to a statement from the Presidency. Localised Clashes in Greater Yei Recent confrontations between governmental troops and opposition elements in Morobo and Yei River counties displaced families and disrupted farming cycles. Road ambushes on the Yei–Juba and Morobo–Kaya corridors highlighted residual risks, yet patrols have been intensified to reassure traders and commuters. Border Management Efforts in Kajokeji…

SSPDF Voices Commitment Maj. Gen. Chaplain Khamis Edward, head of the SSPDF Child Protection Unit, told a Juba symposium the army will partner with all human-rights groups to apply domestic and international standards. He cited his briefings to the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, noting that child-rights protocols are already woven into operational guidelines. “Without respect for rights we cannot function,” Edward said, adding that the army’s legal department monitors compliance with both the constitution and treaties. Lawmakers Demand Wider Protection Parliamentary Human Rights Committee chair James Othwon Awer urged partners to shield activists, journalists, and defenders, warning that tribal…

Media Authority stresses balanced court coverage Addressing a breakfast panel in Juba, Director General Sapana Abuyi reminded reporters that free speech in South Sudan remains protected, yet must align with courtroom procedures. He clarified that recent restrictions targeted only outlets under investigation, insisting no blanket ban exists and urging fairness during the ongoing high-profile trial. “Freedom is not licence,” Abuyi cautions Abuyi noted that sensational or inaccurate narratives risk eroding public trust. “Freedom of expression does not mean freedom to defame,” he said, inviting editors to review contested stories and correct errors swiftly to avoid fuelling division. Legal experts outline…