Author: The South Sudan Herald

A Celebration of Shared Progress Juba’s Chinese Embassy turned into a gallery of colour and sound as 22 young South Sudanese collected prizes for essays, photos and short videos themed “Chinese Modernization in My Eyes” during an August ceremony attended by diplomats and artists. Ambassador Ma Qiang applauded the winners, noting that Beijing’s development journey, built on scale and inclusivity, offers “valuable reference points” for nations such as South Sudan that seek growth without abandoning cultural heritage. Inside the Competition The three-month contest invited students, journalists and entrepreneurs to depict how modern railways, fintech and eco-cities they observed in China…

Yambio Shooting Sends Shockwaves The fatal shooting of Peter Michael Mbia, Director-General in Western Equatoria’s Ministry of General Education, jolted the quiet Napere suburb of Yambio on 3 August, igniting grief and calls for justice across South Sudan. His death unfolded barely a week after sweeping political reshuffles in the state, stoking speculation about motives and underscoring the fragile balance between governance, security, and community trust. Swift Arrests Signal Resolve Western Equatoria Police Commissioner Phillip Madut Tong confirmed that five suspects are now in custody, adding that case files are ready for court as investigators tighten the net around remaining…

Momentum toward 2026 General Elections After a closed-door meeting in Juba, President Salva Kiir authorised SPLM Secretary-General Paul Lugale Jumi to begin full electoral mobilisation for December 2026. Party insiders say the instruction signals the official start of campaign preparations despite lingering political uncertainties. Resource Mobilisation and Membership Drive Jumi told reporters the Secretariat will map funding sources and reopen registration centres from county level upwards. He stressed that reliable voter data will guide messaging and ensure every constituency feels represented, a point analysts view as crucial for turnout legitimacy. Youth and Women Inclusion Strategy Kiir urged the party to…

Swift Border Clampdown at Nimule Nimule’s busy customs yard fell silent this week as inspectors ordered three cargo trucks back across the frontier. Laboratory results showed aflatoxin in maize and live insects in beans, triggering the most forceful rejection yet under South Sudan’s updated standards code. Science Behind the Screens Portable chromatographs identified aflatoxin levels far above the 10-parts-per-billion ceiling endorsed by the World Health Organization. “We no longer rely on paperwork; every batch faces a field test,” explained Dr. Irene Laku, chief chemist at the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS press briefing, 2025). Regional Trade Ripples The…

Debate Over Return Priorities South Sudan’s Patriotic People’s Party, speaking through spokesperson Biar Akol Cham, has urged the transitional government to fast-track the repatriation of citizens displaced across East and Central Africa before entertaining any plan to welcome foreigners. Opposition Cites Camp Hardships Cham painted a bleak picture of camps in Chad, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda, citing food shortages, overcrowded clinics and recurrent discrimination that, he argues, erode dignity and hope for an eventual homecoming. Rumours of Palestinian Relocation Speculation that Palestinian migrants could be resettled in South Sudan has circulated on social media for weeks, despite consistent denials…

Renewed Violence in Central Equatoria The sound of heavy weapons shattered dawn in Lasu and Libogo on Saturday, marking the sharpest confrontation in months between South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the SPLA-IO. Both camps accuse each other of provoking the firefight that shook Yei River County. Fragile Peace Accord Faces Key Test Signed in 2018, the Revitalized Agreement promised unified forces and nation-wide cease-fire. Yet slow cantonment, unpaid troops and rival command structures keep mistrust alive, analysts observe. CEPO Executive Director Edmund Yakani urged field commanders to shield civilians, warning that every violation chips away at confidence and imperils…

Historic Community Vote in Juba A rare display of organised grassroots democracy unfolded at Nyakuroon Cultural Centre, Juba, as the Kakwa community cast ballots to pick their cultural chief for the next four years. Out of 293 valid votes, senior administrator Dada Isaac Lemi secured 191, defeating veteran politician Jacob Aligo Lo-Ladu, who garnered 102. Ballot Math and Border Hopes Observers from civic groups praised the transparent count, noting that Kakwa clans live across South Sudan, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, so the outcome resonates beyond Juba. “The message is unity without frontiers,” said researcher Stella Logali, adding…

Border Seizures Spotlight Food Safety A spate of interceptions at Nimule, South Sudan’s busiest land gateway, has revived the debate on food security in Central Africa. Authorities turned back suspect maize and beans, underscoring how vigilant border science can shield millions from hidden contaminants. Maize Flour Held Over Aflatoxin Risk Lab analysts at Nimule seized two trucks of Ugandan maize flour, logging aflatoxin readings well above East African Community thresholds. Officials immediately ordered re-export, citing cancer risks tied to the toxin, and alerted traders to tighten post-harvest handling. Beans Shipment Found Alive With Insects Inspectors flagged a Tanzanian truck of…

Quarterfinal That Captivates Africa Luanda’s Pavilhão do Kilamba hosts a quarterfinal that could redefine African basketball prestige. South Sudan’s Bright Stars meet Senegal’s Lions of Teranga, with the winner advancing to a probable date against Nigeria. Bright Stars Seek Rapid Ascent Two years after a World Cup breakthrough and Olympic qualification, South Sudan want hardware to match hype. Coach Royal Ivey insists, “Our timeline is accelerated, but the belief in our locker room is real.” Senegal’s Tested Core Returns Senegal arrive with eight veterans from the 2021 bronze-medal squad and a bruising inside game. Forward Gorgui Dieng notes the stakes:…

New Payams Spark Local Turmoil A decision by Jonglei State authorities to create about twenty new payams and bomas earlier this year has generated an unexpected storm. In Bor County, three veteran chiefs were dismissed after they rejected being reassigned to the newborn Chuei-Keer Payam. Chiefs Challenge Dismissal Process In a joint letter dated 12 August, Mariar Maluil, Aguto Chol, and Angeth Noon argued that proper consultation never occurred. According to Aguto Chol, the move “disrespects our community and the law,” and the trio is ready to seek reinstatement in court if administrative appeals fail. Civil Society Defends Free Expression…