A driver was killed and several motorcyclists abducted in an early morning ambush along the Maridi-Yei road, the Commissioner of Maridi County has confirmed. Continue reading “Driver killed, motorcyclists abducted in Maridi-Yei road ambush”
Month: July 2025
Foreign engineer killed in Morobo ambush, three others missing
A foreign civil engineer working on a school project in South Sudan’s Morobo County was killed early Thursday morning in a deadly ambush along the Morobo-Kaya road, local officials and security sources have confirmed.
James Karigi was traveling with a fellow engineer around 8:00 a.m. when unknown gunmen attacked their vehicle en route to Kaya.
The two men had reportedly been contracted by the Don Bosco Catholic Diocese of Morobo to carry out construction at the new St. Charles Lwanga School.
“The body of James Karigi was recovered from the burning vehicle,” Commissioner Bullen said.
According to Morobo County Commissioner Hon. Charles Data Bullen, the attackers also targeted two motorcycle riders believed to be escorting the engineers. The whereabouts of the second Kenyan national and both riders remain unknown as of this report.
“Government forces responded swiftly, and during a brief exchange of fire, one of the attackers, identified as a known SPLA-IO fighter, was killed.”
While no group has officially claimed responsibility, Bullen linked it to the presence of SPLA-IO elements in the region, whom he blamed for the wave of ambushes and violence against civilians.
The Don Bosco Diocese has yet to release an official statement, but a Church source described the incident as “a tragic loss and a blow to our educational mission in the region.”
Bullen extended his condolences to the victims’ families and the Don Bosco community, urging them to “stay strong in these trying times.”
Authorities have advised all travelers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity along major roads in the county, especially in volatile areas.
Ugandan troops expand presence in Kajo-Keji despite de-escalation deal, says county commissioner
Tensions along the South Sudan-Uganda border have flared again after Uganda’s military reportedly deployed more troops into four additional locations inside Kajo-Keji County, violating a recent de-escalation agreement between the two countries.
According to Kajo-Keji County Commissioner Wani Jackson Mule, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) are no longer stationed only in Nyainga-Moda, the original flashpoint of previous clashes.
The troops have now extended their presence into Goloko, Alimara, Merewa, and Kolurunga, with Kolurunga described as a mountainous zone where Ugandan forces reportedly arrived on Tuesday.
“They are still inside the territory of Kajo-Keji, not only in Nyainga-Moda now,” Commissioner Mule told Eye Radio Thursday morning.
“They have expanded to more areas by deploying more troops to areas that were not formerly under their control. This is causing fear and potential displacement for residents living in those locations.”
Mule added that the deployment now includes military tanks positioned at key entry points along the border, including the Purai-Mako road near Kwenda stream.
The commissioner is warning that the ongoing deployment risks inflaming local tensions and undoing fragile peace efforts.
He is appealing to national authorities, IGAD, and the African Union to intervene swiftly.
“I’m requesting the national government to engage proactively with the authorities in Kampala to make sure they effect what they say by stopping any new deployments,” he said.
“If on our side we also begin deploying to counter those new deployments, there will be a high chance of clashing. That should be stopped.”
Mule stressed that the situation must remain isolated to Nyainga-Moda. The area was previously acknowledged by both governments as the subject of dispute—until a resolution was negotiated through diplomatic channels.
In the meantime, the commissioner has called on residents of Kajo-Keji to remain calm but vigilant, assuring them that the county administration is actively engaging relevant institutions to defuse the situation. Continue reading “Ugandan troops expand presence in Kajo-Keji despite de-escalation deal, says county commissioner”
‘Invisible hands’ blocking plot allocations in CES, lawmaker alleges
A senior member of South Sudan’s National Parliament has claimed that unidentified forces are obstructing the Central Equatoria State government from showing land plots to their rightful owners, despite efforts to do so.
Ambrose Lomin, Chairperson of the Specialized Committee on Land and Environment, said during a recent public forum that Central Equatoria had taken seriously the public outcry over unallocated plots but was thwarted by what he described as “disorganizing unknown powers.”
“Central Equatoria took it seriously, and they want to do the showing. But what happened? They were disorganized by unknown powers,” Lomin said during Tuesday’s public lecture at the University of Juba on land administration.
He didn’t name individuals but said: “There are invisible hands hindering the state from showing plots to the rightful owners.”
The lawmaker emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in land administration and called for a national land audit to determine how many plots have been allotted and to whom.
“Why are we allotting land but not auditing it? What is the total number of allotted plots in this country?” he asked. “The land audit is something that must be part of the post-policy implementation process.”
Lomin also urged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to convene inclusive dialogue involving pastoralists, farmers, and state authorities to address persistent land-related conflicts, including cattle raiding, encroachment on farmland, and illegal land grabbing.
He further encouraged young people and women to stay engaged in land reform policy processes, assuring them that their contributions are being recognized, even if not immediately.
“You may not be recognized now, but you will be. Our young ladies, our youths — you are within the policy,” he said.
The remarks come amid ongoing disputes over land ownership, allocation, and access in Central Equatoria and other parts of the country, where land has remained a key source of tension and conflict. Continue reading “‘Invisible hands’ blocking plot allocations in CES, lawmaker alleges”
SSFF electoral body set to unveil eligible candidates
The Electoral Committee of the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) will today unveil the preliminary list of candidates for the upcoming elections of the leadership due August 15.
These include the President of the Federation, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, and the Members of the Executive Committee
The committee will also publish the official list of delegates eligible to vote in the upcoming elections, which will decide the Federation’s leadership for the 2025–2029 term.
The announcements will be made during a press conference scheduled for noon at the SSFF Headquarters in Juba.
Early this month, the South Sudan Football Federation Electoral Committee officially announced August 15, 2025, as the date for the federation’s presidential elections.
Last week, the Electoral Committee screened the eligibility of the aspiring candidates. Continue reading “SSFF electoral body set to unveil eligible candidates”
Undersecretary Pia calls for honest land reform to prevent conflict
South Sudan’s Undersecretary of Peace-building, Pia Philip, has cautioned that the politicization of land policy could drive future conflict, urging authorities and communities to treat land management as a central pillar of peace-building.
Speaking during a public lecture on land administration at the University of Juba on Tuesday, Philip emphasized the need for inclusive, transparent, and culturally grounded systems of land governance, stating that land lies at the heart of both conflict and peace in South Sudan.
The event, organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), brought together academics, policymakers, students, and international partners for an open dialogue on land-related challenges in the country.
“Land is a cause of conflict—a key factor and root cause—but it can also be a powerful peacebuilding tool if managed transparently, honestly, and inclusively,” said Philip.
He stressed that land rights must be respected for all citizens, including vulnerable groups such as returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and widows. He also questioned traditional practices that deny widows access to land, urging reflection on whether such customs are still justifiable in today’s society.
“If we manage land openly and honestly, it will be a peace-building tool for generations,” he said. “But when land is acquired through corruption, force, or political influence, it undermines social cohesion and sows the seeds of future conflict.”
Philip called for the development of stronger legal frameworks rooted in both statutory and customary law, and for widespread community involvement in shaping and implementing land policy.
“Without local ownership and cultural integration, even the best-written land laws risk becoming sources of division,” he added.
Early this week, the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development said it was finalizing key legal frameworks and policies to guide land management in South Sudan.
According to Undersecretary Eng. Louis Kwot, the National Land Policy 2023 was approved by the Council of Ministers last year and is now waiting for the third and fourth readings in parliament.
He said the ministry has taken over the Land Registry from the judiciary and plans to introduce a digitalized system to prevent fraud and manipulation in land transactions.
Louis also explained that the upcoming land policy will clearly define the responsibilities of national and state governments, local authorities, and communities in land management.
He pointed out that Juba’s rapid expansion, land grabbing, and informal settlements remain major challenges—driven by insecurity, climate change, and population movement.
In November 2024, the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Michael Chiengjiek, officially presented the Draft National Land Policy 2023 to the National Legislative Assembly.
The document, which was earlier endorsed by the Council of Ministers, aims to create a sustainable and inclusive framework for land allocation and the protection of land rights for all South Sudanese. Continue reading “Undersecretary Pia calls for honest land reform to prevent conflict”
IGP cautions public against unauthorized Martyrs’ Day eve rallies
The Inspector General of Police has warned the public that unauthorised public gatherings, rallies, or demonstrations will not be permitted during the Martyrs’ Day. Continue reading “IGP cautions public against unauthorized Martyrs’ Day eve rallies”
Kuol Manyang declares Kenya-lead peace talks dead
The head of the government delegation to the Kenya-led South Sudan peace process has declared the Tumaini Initiative as dead, stating that the opposition involved in the talks “has no case.” Continue reading “Kuol Manyang declares Kenya-lead peace talks dead”
Senior advisor acknowledges failure to support Martyrs’ families
A senior Presidential Advisor has summarily described as their failure to adequately support widows and families of the martyrs, blaming it on selfish individuals within the system
Kuol Manyang Juuk, a veteran of the liberation struggle, issued a public apology to the families of the fallen heroes during an exclusive interview with Eye Radio on the eve of Martyrs’ Day—a national day of remembrance marking the death of SPLM/SPLA founding leader Dr. John Garang de Mabior on 30 July 2005.
“Why did those people die fighting for this country? They died to bring rights to all the people of South Sudan,” Kuol stated.
“We failed to do that. We don’t have the money to take care of the widows and families of the martyrs. It is something that has defeated us.”
For years, widows and orphans of those who died during the 21-year civil war have decried what they describe as decades of neglect by the very leaders who pledged to protect their welfare.
“We are good at drafting policies, but there is no implementation,” Kuol continued. “The system of governance we have acquired, where a person doesn’t care about others—this is where the problem is.”
He said the issue is solvable if political leaders and institutions such as Parliament and political parties commit to addressing it seriously.
“It can be done, if people sit and address it—even from the Parliament,” Kuol emphasized.
“But we are very individualistic. I want to live in a costly house—yet this is money that belongs to all the people.”
He added that the lack of accurate data on how many martyrs fell during the liberation war, which complicates efforts to distribute support fairly.
Despite promises made over the years, many families of martyrs say they have not received any government support, and they feel forgotten.
According to the Transitional Constitution, the government is obligated to support orphans, widows, disabled veterans, and dependents of those who died for the country’s independence.
In 2015, the Ministry of Defense announced a pension scheme for the families of martyrs, but implementation remains minimal.
That same year, a Martyrs’ Family Fund Bill was presented in Parliament by the Joint Committee on Gender, Religious Affairs, and Justice—but no significant progress has been reported since.
As South Sudan commemorates the 20th anniversary of Dr. Garang’s passing, many are calling for the government to not only remember the martyrs in words but to honor their legacy through action. Continue reading “Senior advisor acknowledges failure to support Martyrs’ families”
Bodies of five South Sudanese officers retrieved after clashes with UPDF
Authorities in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State have confirmed the deaths of five members of the South Sudan military following a deadly clash with the Ugandan army in Kajo-Keji County on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media, County Commissioner Jackson Wani Mule said the soldiers were killed during an armed confrontation that occurred between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. in Bori Boma, Kangapo II Payam.
“I arrived at the area where the clash between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces took place,” Commissioner Wani said.
“According to the initial information we received, the number of dead from the SSPDF yesterday was three, but we discovered that they were five, one from the prisons, one from the police, and three soldiers from the army who were killed in the trenches.”
Commissioner Wani confirmed that preparations are underway to bury the fallen soldiers as of today.
The incident has caused a significant displacement of civilians in the area, with thousands reportedly fleeing their homes, and several others feared dead, following the attack allegedly launched by the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
According to Wani, the attack stems from a longstanding border dispute between the two neighboring nations.
“As shown in the picture that I shared with you, the situation on the ground is bad,” he said. “I found the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces in large numbers, and they are armed with tanks and artillery. They are spread in the forests, their number is estimated at 700.”
The cross-border violence raises fresh concerns over escalating tensions and unresolved territorial claims between South Sudan and Uganda. Continue reading “Bodies of five South Sudanese officers retrieved after clashes with UPDF”
