16th June 2026

Finance ministry denies claims of preferential govt payments

The Ministry of Finance and Planning (MoFP) has denied allegations that government payments are prioritized using special lists from the Office of the President, saying the claims do not reflect the government’s financial management procedures a statement issued Sunday, the ministry

In a responded to recent remarks by the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, Amer Mangar Majak, regarding the processing of government payments.

“While we respect the concerns raised, the Ministry wishes to clarify that the suggestion that payments are prioritized based on specific lists from the Office of the President does not reflect the government’s financial management processes,” the statement said.

The ministry said all payments it processes originate from spending agencies and government institutions, including the Office of the President.

It added that the government is balancing numerous obligations amid fiscal constraints, including funding electoral institutions, the security sector, essential public services and other critical national commitments.

“The Ministry, therefore, processes payments based on available resources and government priorities. The prioritization of these obligations should not be interpreted as preferential treatment of any institution or individual,” the statement added.

MoFP reiterated its commitment to fairness, transparency and public financial management reforms, saying it remains dedicated to working with government institutions to address funding needs within available resources.

Ex-VP Josephine-led party PDM registers ahead of polls

The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) led by former Vice President Josephine Lagu says it has been officially registered as a political party in South Sudan

In a statement issued Monday, the party said it was informing the public, signatories to the peace agreement, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), civil society groups and guarantors of the agreement that it had completed the registration process.

The PDM said it remains a member of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), a coalition of opposition parties that signed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in 2018.

According to the statement, the party has participated in SSOA activities, peace agreement mechanisms and the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity since the agreement was signed.

The party also said it differs from other SSOA member parties because it does not have a military wing.

“With PDM now fully registered as a legal party in the Republic of South Sudan, we would like to announce to the general public that PDM is now ready to participate fully in the political development of our country,” the statement said.

The party added that it intends to take part in the elections scheduled for December 2026.

The statement was signed by Josephine Joseph Lagu Yanga, the chairperson of the PDM.

Editor’s note: The registration status and other claims contained in the statement have not been independently verified.

NEC to announce election date on June 22

The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it will officially announce the date for South Sudan’s general elections on June 22, as preparations for the electoral process continue.

Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Monday, NEC Chairperson Prof. Abenego Akok Kachuol said the commission is implementing electoral activities in phases, beginning with civic and voter education.

Prof. Akok revealed that the next major step will be the declaration of the election date during a scheduled event later this month.

“We are going stage by stage. The stage of today is civic and voter education. On the 22nd of this month, we will be invited again. That’s where we will declare the election day,” he said.

The announcement comes amid growing public interest in the country’s electoral roadmap and the implementation of key provisions of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which provides the framework for the country’s transition to democratic elections.

While the NEC chairperson did not disclose the specific date to be announced, his remarks indicate that the commission is moving ahead with preparations for the polls.

The commission has recently intensified activities aimed at laying the groundwork for elections, including civic and voter education programs and mobilization of resources to support electoral preparations.

South Sudan’s elections are expected to mark a significant milestone in the implementation of the peace agreement and the country’s transition toward democratic governance.

S. Sudan withdraws from hosting 2026 Inter-Parliamentary Games

The Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan, Joseph Ngere Paciko, has announced that South Sudan will not host the 16th East African Inter-Parliamentary Games, citing national preparations for the country’s first post-independence elections scheduled for December 2026.

Paciko, was cited in a statement by the EAC secretariate as saying: “Although South Sudan possesses the infrastructure and willingness to host this event, the demands of preparing for our nation’s first post-independence elections require every available national resource,”

He emphasized that the decision did not reflect a withdrawal from regional cooperation, but rather a temporary redirection of national priorities.

“We remain unwavering in our commitment to the principles and objectives of the EAC,” he added, reaffirming South Sudan’s continued engagement within the East African Community.

Following South Sudan’s withdrawal, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) was confirmed as the fallback host of the 16th edition of the Games, which will now be held in Arusha, Tanzania, in December 2026.

Despite stepping down as host, Paciko pledged that South Sudan would still take part in the tournament in full force.

“I am confident that our deliberations here will strengthen parliamentary cooperation and contribute to the successful organization of the 2026 Inter-Parliamentary Games,” he said, noting that South Sudan intends to send its largest-ever delegation to the event.

The road to December: NEC receives $6 million for civic and voter education

The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it has received six million U.S. dollars from the government to support civic and voter education activities ahead of South Sudan’s anticipated general elections in December this year.

Speaking during a press conference in Juba on Monday, NEC Chairperson Prof. Abenego Akok Kachuol described the funding as a significant contribution towards the commission’s preparations for the electoral process.

Prof. Akok said the resources will be used to implement civic and voter education programs aimed at increasing public awareness and participation in the elections.

“The second one is the resources given to us by the government. This month, they gave us six million dollars for civic and voter education,” he said.

He emphasized that civic and voter education are among the commission’s key responsibilities as it prepares citizens for the electoral process.

“These two functions are very important, but the hugest one will come later on,” Prof. Akok added, without elaborating on the additional funding expected in the future.

The NEC chairperson expressed gratitude to the government for providing the resources, saying the support would enable the commission to continue its preparations for the polls.

“Hence, we thought to thank the government of South Sudan for availing these resources for us to be prepared and we go on,” he said.

Civic and voter education is considered a critical component of election preparation, as it helps voters understand electoral procedures, their rights and responsibilities, and the importance of participating in democratic processes.

The funding comes as the National Elections Commission intensifies preparations for elections, which are expected to play a crucial role in the implementation of South Sudan’s peace process.

Gen. Thomas Duoth calls for solidarity, urges support for fallen veterans’ children

Former Chief of the National Security External Bureau, Gen. Thomas Duoth, has called on comrades from the liberation era to strengthen bonds of solidarity by supporting the children of veterans, revealing that he has sponsored the education of 88 children of his colleagues. Continue reading “Gen. Thomas Duoth calls for solidarity, urges support for fallen veterans’ children”

NEC acquires Aida Hotel as permanent headquarters worth $ 6.5M

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has announced the acquisition of Aida Hotel in Juba as its permanent headquarters, describing the move as a major milestone for the institution ahead of South Sudan’s anticipated elections.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, NEC Chairperson Prof. Abenego Akok Kachuol said the commission had secured ownership of the property following the completion of key payments under an agreement with the seller.

Prof. Akok said the acquisition marks the first time the electoral body has obtained a permanent home, which he said would serve the commission for generations to come.

“The payment for Aida Hotel has been completed and it is now owned by the Election Commission of South Sudan,” he told journalists.

“This is a very big achievement for us as South Sudanese, that there is a building for the Election Commission forever. It will exist for generations to come.”

The NEC chairperson thanked the government for supporting the purchase, saying the acquisition would strengthen the commission’s institutional capacity and provide a stable base for its operations.

According to Prof. Akok, the property was acquired at a total cost of 6.5 million U.S. dollars. He said 4.5 million dollars has so far been paid, while the remaining two million dollars is expected to be settled in accordance with the agreement reached between the parties.

“The total amount was 6.5 million dollars. So far, we have cleared 4.5 million dollars while two million remains pending and it will be completed with time,” he said.

He added that the agreement had already granted the commission ownership rights over the property, making Aida Hotel the official headquarters of the South Sudan National Elections Commission.

The acquisition comes as the NEC intensifies preparations for the country’s elections, with the commission seeking to strengthen its institutional structures and operational readiness ahead of the polls.

‘I love SPLM from my heart, not the T-shirt’ – Willy Angok rejects defection rumors, addresses critics

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Youth League member and former chairperson of Amiol Gemdit Youth, Willy Angok Ngor, has stated that he has not defected to the SPLM-In Opposition (SPLM-IO). Continue reading “‘I love SPLM from my heart, not the T-shirt’ – Willy Angok rejects defection rumors, addresses critics”

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