By Kei Emmanuel At least six of the approximately 14 people abducted in a passenger bus attack along the Juba-Nimule Highway have been recovered, the spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang confirmed. According to the accounts of those who were rescued, the[Read More…]
National
IDPs set conditions for safe return home
By Philip Buda Ladu Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Bentiu have outlined specific conditions for their voluntary return home. Currently, nearly one million individuals are residing in IDP and UN camps across South Sudan, while approximately 2.3 million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries due to the violence stemming[Read More…]
Dr. Garang was not tribalist like us-VP Nyandeng reflects
By Yiep Joseph Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior has reflected that late Dr. John Garang was not a tribalist, unlike many contemporary leaders. Addressing participants during a campaign to end child hunger and malnutrition in South Sudan, VP. Nyandeng highlighted Dr. Garang’s commitment[Read More…]
MPs question appropriation report as Finance Minister tables budget
By William Madouk Minister of Finance and Planning, Marial Dongrin Ater, PhD, on Wednesday, presented the Draft National Budget for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to parliament, three months after the end of the 2023-2024 budget. The proposed budget outlines a total expenditure of SSP 4.172 trillion. This year’s budget[Read More…]
Finance Minister tables SSP 4.2 trillion budget today
By William Madouk Minister of Finance and Planning is set to table the 2024-2025 fiscal year before parliament today, Wednesday 25th September. The government has been operating without a budget for three months since the Minister of Finance suspended payments at the end of the 2023-2024 fiscal year in[Read More…]
MSF suspends outreach activities in Yei over attack on staff
By Deng Ghai Deng and Bosco Bush French medical charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has suspended all its outreach activities in Yei until further notice after a critical security incident on Friday, September 20, 2024. The incident involved MSF staff and staff from a partner organization. According to the press statement[Read More…]
IGAD welcomes extension, urges renewed peace efforts
By Deng Ghai Deng Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu (PhD), has welcomed the 24-month extension of the Transitional Period. The extension moves the deadline from February 2025 to February 2027, while the elections originally slated for December 2024 have been postponed to[Read More…]
Auditor General optimistic of auditing Nilepet despite challenges
By Yiep Joseph The Auditor General (AG), Stephen Wondu, has expressed optimism about conducting an audit of Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet), despite years of unsuccessful attempts. In 2021, Wondu revealed that Nilepet had not undergone an audit since its establishment. He noted that the company has frequently refused to[Read More…]
Suspended SPLM-IO Commissioner defects to SPLM
By Deng Ghai Deng The recently suspended county commissioner of Maban County, Peter Alberto, has defected from the SPLM-IO to the ruling SPLM party. Alberto dismissed the serious allegations of misconduct against him as politically motivated, asserting his desire to “return to the mother party.” In an interview with[Read More…]
Bentiu IDPs grapple with poor sanitation, Hepatitis outbreak
By Philip Buda Ladu A severe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) crisis is unfolding at the Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Unity State. Overcrowding, deteriorating facilities, and a lack of support have led to a significant increase in diseases like hepatitis E and B. The camp, home[Read More…]
Army links Juba-Nimule road ambush to NAS
Kei Emmanuel Duku Babeto Bus Company is counting losses after its bus with registration number SSD 0892 travelling from Juba to Kampala fell in an ambush on Tuesday morning near Lakarakak between Jablen Area and Kubi. Tuesday’s attack left one passenger dead on the spot, and 7 civilians[Read More…]
Experts urge vigilance as cyber threats, scams surge in South Sudan
By Yiep Joseph Cyber security experts are urging citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety measures as the country experiences an increase in cyber threats and online scams. During a joint press briefing on Tuesday, representatives from SafetyComm, DefyHateNow, and 211Check, have called on the public to be extra[Read More…]
Morobo receives NAS defectors
By Bosco Bush At least nine (9) members of the National Salvation Front (NAS) have deserted their camp and joined South Sudan Peoples Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State. Morobo County Commissioner, Charles Data confirmed that a group led by a Major General joined the government[Read More…]
Youth Union assesses employment in companies, NGOs
By Yiep Joseph South Sudan National Youth Union (SSNYU) has dispatched a team, the Youth Empowerment Committee to assess youth employment in both companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In an interview with this outlet, Union Chairperson Taban Paride stated that the primary goal was to gather essential data illustrating[Read More…]
Tumaini Initiative on test as holdout groups mute on extension
By Yiep Joseph The silence of the holdout groups currently engaged in Tumaini Initiative, on the two-year extension has raised concerns among peace stakeholders about the status of the negotiations. As of now, the holdout group has not clarified its position on whether it supports the extension. While both[Read More…]
Lawyers petition court over extension
By William Madouk A group of constitutional lawyers has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, challenging the national unity government’s recent extension of the transition period by 2 years. Addressing reporters shortly after submitting the petition to Chief Justice Chan Reech Madut at the Judiciary premises in Juba,[Read More…]
War to floods: UNMISS peacekeepers create safe haven for civilians
By Philip Buda Ladu United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has become a vital refuge for over 150,000 civilians at the Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp. Originally established as a Protection of Civilians (PoC) site during the 2013-2018 civil war, the camp has faced challenges from both[Read More…]
TROIKA objects extension of transitional period
By Bosco Bush TROIKA member states have expressed reservations about endorsing the two-year extension of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, withholding their support for the extension. In a joint statement, TROIKA, that include Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, expressed deep concern about the announcement by South[Read More…]
Allow civic, political space-Activist urges
By Bosco Bush In light of the recent two-year extension of the outdated 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, civil society activists are advocating for the establishment of a free and conducive civic and political environment to encourage citizen engagement. To ensure the smooth functioning of the extended Revitalized Agreement on[Read More…]
Citizens urged to pursue peace
By James Innocent Director General of Peace Building in Central Equatoria State has expressed deep concern over the despair faced by thousands of South Sudanese amid ongoing conflict. Since gaining independence in 2011, many citizens have struggled to find hope in a nation still grappling with violence. Lawrence Musoke[Read More…]