President Salva Kiir has met his wartime colleague, Major General William Deng Garang, at the State Secretariat in Juba, days after recognizing him during the SPLA Day celebration. Continue reading “Kiir meets wartime colleague Gen. Deng Garang after SPLA Day recognition”
Year: 2026
Kiir launches presidential website since independence
The office of the President on Wednesday launched a presidential website for the first time since independence in an event graced by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The www.op.gov.ss presidential website is aimed at improving public access to government information and strengthening communication between the presidency and citizens.
According to the Office of the President Press Unit, the platform will provide timely updates on government activities, national policies, presidential engagements, speeches, and official announcements.
Speaking during the launch in Juba, President Kiir said the website is an important step toward promoting transparency, accountability, and public awareness through modern communication tools.
“The platform will help citizens access official information and counter misinformation,” Kiir adds.
The government also announced plans to establish an Official Government Gazette to publish laws, regulations, and official notices.
The committee that developed the platform thanked President Kiir for entrusting them with the initiative, describing it as part of the government’s efforts toward digital transformation and improved service delivery.
Officials said the launch marks a new chapter in modernizing government communication and strengthening engagement between the presidency and the public.
Puot Kang tells court digital evidence against him was “fabricated”
The suspended Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang Chol, told the special court on Wednesday that some of the digital evidence presented against him was fabricated by the prosecution and its expert witness. Continue reading “Puot Kang tells court digital evidence against him was “fabricated””
Newborn found dead in Wau dumping site, police arrest suspect
Police in Western Bahr el Ghazal have arrested a young woman following the discovery of a dead newborn baby at a garbage dumping site in Wau town.
State police spokesperson Santino Uduol confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect was taken into custody after the infant’s body was discovered near Comboni Hospital.
“The police wish to inform the public about the body of the deceased infant was discovered in a dumping site near Comboni hospital,” he said.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the infant belongs to a woman who had undergone a caesarean birth. After delivery the baby passed away,” he added.
Uduol said the infant’s body had initially been handed over to the suspect to arrange burial after the mother remained under medical care.
“The body was given to the young woman accompanying the mother to take for burial instead. Instead, the young woman allegedly dumped the body,” he said.
He added that the suspect was arrested after police launched investigations following the discovery.
“Our traffic police found the body this morning and we carried the investigation and found the mother recovering at the hospital. We arrested the young woman and the police is investigating the case,” Uduol said.
Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
RJMEC urges MPs to safeguard peace, cautions against amendments
Members of the peace monitoring body, RJMEC have called on Members of Parliament in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to support full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, warning that proposed amendments could weaken its integrity and risk renewed conflict.
The appeal was made on Wednesday during the presentation of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) ’s quarterly report covering the period from 1 January to 31 March 2026.
RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. (Rtd) George Aggrey Owinow said implementation of the agreement had faced serious challenges and progress had slowed in key areas.
“Implementation of the R-ARCSS has considerably faltered during the reporting period,” he said, adding that in some cases “peace dividends achieved over the first seven years of the Agreement have been eroded.”
Owinow cautioned MPs that the proposed amendments under consideration could have wider political and institutional consequences.
“Concerns were raised regarding the context of the amendments, including ongoing systematic violations of the Agreement and the exclusion of some key Party signatories,” he said.
He added that any changes that weaken oversight mechanisms could undermine the role of regional and international guarantors.
“The proposed amendments could weaken the oversight role of IGAD and the African Union,” he said, referring to the regional bodies supporting the peace process.
Owinow further told lawmakers that the agreement remains the main framework for peace and political transition in South Sudan beyond elections.
“The R-ARCSS is not limited to elections, but also includes critical peacebuilding and democratic governance reforms that remain essential before and after elections and must not be abandoned,” he said.
He warned MPs and other stakeholders against actions that could destabilize the country’s political environment.
“Abrogation of the agreement could lead to political fragmentation and renewed large scale violence in the country,” he said.
RJMEC said it continues to engage the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with the provisions of the peace agreement as implementation progresses.
UNDP, AfDB urge stronger research culture as UoJ project concludes
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have called for stronger research culture among university students in South Sudan, urging that academic work be directly linked to national policy and development needs as a joint project concluded in Juba.
Continue reading “UNDP, AfDB urge stronger research culture as UoJ project concludes”
Wildlife ministry calls for environmentally responsible infrastructure development
The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism has made a call for environmentally responsible infrastructure development to protect South Sudan’s wildlife migration corridors and ecosystems.
Mother in Eastern Equatoria says her two children kidnapped, appeals for their return
A mother in Eastern Equatoria State says her two young children were abducted last evening by unknown armed men who ambushed and attacked their vehicle along the Lirya–Khor Engliz road. Continue reading “Mother in Eastern Equatoria says her two children kidnapped, appeals for their return”
From Sherikat to Emirates: Arsenal fans finally leave factory of memes
For over two decades, supporting Arsenal F.C. was not a hobby. It was a test of emotional endurance. In Juba’s Sherikat suburb, Arsenal fans became specialists in defending disappointment. Every weekend, they entered football debates like unpaid lawyers representing a hopeless client.
“Trust the process,” they said.
And for 22 years, the process trusted nobody.
Since their legendary 2004 Invincibles season, Arsenal supporters survived everything football could throw at a human being: late collapses, top-four battles celebrated like trophies, expensive flops, injuries at the worst possible moments, and annual mathematical calculations about “games in hand.”
At some point, Arsenal fans stopped watching football for joy and started watching it for character development.
In South Sudan, especially around Sherikat, Gudele, Hai Cinema, and Konyo Konyo tea places, supporting Arsenal became an identity of stubborn faith. Every season began with confidence and ended with explanations.
When rivals lifted trophies, Arsenal fans lifted motivational quotes.
The memes were merciless.
Manchester United fans called Arsenal “TikTok footballers, and Netflix F.C.,” Chelsea supporters laughed at “beautiful football without results.” Liverpool fans reminded them about mentality. Manchester City fans barely argued; they simply showed the league table and left quietly like rich people paying bills.
Yet Arsenal fans survived.
Even during the painful years after Arsène Wenger left the club, hope somehow refused to die. The club looked lost. Managers came and went. Expensive players arrived and disappeared like government allowances. Some fans even began missing fourth place as if it were a family member.
Then came the rebuild.
When Mikel Arteta took over on 20th December 2019, many people laughed. Rival fans called him a “cone manager,” saying his greatest achievement was arranging training equipment for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The memes intensified when Arsenal finished eighth.
In Sherikat football viewing centres, even loyal Arsenal supporters sometimes watched matches through fingers covering their faces. Defending the club became harder than defending a PhD thesis.
But slowly, something changed.
The football improved. Young players matured. The team stopped fearing big matches. Arsenal transformed from a soft club that entertained opponents into a serious title challenger.
For the last four years, they kept knocking on the Premier League door. Every season looked closer than the previous one. Though they repeatedly fell short, the mentality changed completely.
Bukayo Saka stopped being “a promising youngster” and became a leader.
Martin Ødegaard became the orchestra conductor.
William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes turned defending into art.
And suddenly Arsenal were no longer chasing top four, they were chasing history again.
In South Sudan, Arsenal fans sensed it before everyone else.
At viewing centres in Sherikat, people who once quietly removed Arsenal jerseys after defeats now wore them proudly even on weekdays. Conversations changed from “maybe next season” to “this is our year.”
The confidence returned dangerously.
Some Arsenal supporters in Juba reportedly began speaking to Manchester United fans with the boldness of landlords asking for rent. Others composed songs teasing Manchester United fans. Arsenal songs became anthems in Sherikat.
When the title was finally secured, Sherikat exploded like a national celebration. Motorbikes hooted endlessly. Fans danced in the streets wearing old jerseys that survived generations of disappointment. Some supporters celebrated as if they personally assisted the winning goal.
One fan at a viewing centre shouted:
“We suffered more than final-year students!”
Another emotionally declared:
“Today, we can finally argue without using history from 2004!”
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Arsenal’s triumph is not the trophy itself, but the journey toward it.
The planned Sherikat big celebrations
Speaking to Eye Radio, South Sudan Arsenal Fans Association president Sebit William Ker said excitement among supporters in Juba is overwhelming, with preparations already underway for large celebration activities across the city.
According to Sebit, fans are planning victory marches, public celebrations, watch parties, and gatherings to mark the historic title win.
He added that supporters are also discussing charity initiatives as part of the celebrations, saying the victory should not only unite Arsenal fans but also create something meaningful for vulnerable people in the community.
Sebit noted that many supporters remained loyal to the club during difficult years when Arsenal became a weekly source of jokes online, adding that the title now feels like a reward for patience and belief.
Meanwhile, Eye Radio sports journalist Kon Ayuen described the mood among Arsenal supporters as emotional relief after years of trolling, heartbreak, and near misses.
According to Kon, many fans who endured endless ridicule from rival supporters now finally feel vindicated after standing by the club through its darkest moments.
He said Arsenal’s recent success was built over several seasons of steady improvement, discipline, and persistence despite criticism from football analysts and rival fans.
Football punished Arsenal for years. Rival fans mocked them relentlessly. Every collapse became internet content. Every failure became comedy material.
But the club kept building.
And maybe that is why this title feels different.
It was not bought overnight.
It was rebuilt patiently.
From doubt to belief.
From memes to medals.
From Sherikat to the Emirates, and somewhere in Juba today, Arsenal fans are sleeping peacefully for the first time in 22 years, without calculating games in hand.
“We will improve where we fall short; Journalists are not spies,” — SSPDF
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces has pledged to address concerns raised by media houses over challenges affecting journalists’ work in the country.
SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Kong made the remarks during an ongoing meeting involving media houses and security organs in Juba.
The three-day conference, which began on Tuesday under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom, Human Rights and Development through Elections,” was organized by the South Sudan Media Authority.
Speaking during the opening session, Gen. Lul said the relationship between the media and security institutions remains important, adding that although organized forces are sometimes accused of interfering with journalists’ work, assessments conducted last year showed improvements in the conduct of the army.
“We in the security sector are sometimes accused of making your work difficult,” he said. “Research has indicated that we have been scoring well, but there are still some areas that need to be corrected, especially within some institutions of the organized forces.”
He said the organized forces include the SSPDF, police, wildlife and other security institutions, adding that some shortcomings still exist.
“Last year we led, this year we did not lead,” he said.
Gen. Lul said the organized forces would work to improve in areas where they have fallen short of expectations from both the media and the international community.
“We promise you on behalf of the organized forces that we will improve in the areas where we are falling short of your expectations and the expectations of the regional and international community,” he said. “We will cooperate with you, but continue guiding us where we are going wrong.”
He said cooperation between the media and security institutions was necessary in order to improve performance and strengthen relations.
“The only way to do this is through working together,” he said.
Meanwhile, the army spokesperson said the organized forces view journalists as partners who help highlight positive work being carried out by security institutions.
“We look at you not as people spying on us using gadgets, but as people identifying the best in us, magnifying it, and sharing it with the rest of the public,” he said.
Gen. Lul also said the organized forces would provide space for journalists to carry out their work freely while encouraging balanced reporting.
