WES: Women-led agricultural initiative spurs hope and growth in Mundri
By Doroka Tabitha- Mundri East County With the rainy season nearing in South Sudan, a powerful story of resilience and transformation is taking root. In Witto Payam, Mundri East County of Western Equatoria State, a group of determined women are not simply preparing for the rains they are preparing to reshape their future. Bound by […]
Pope Francis has died age 88
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and head of the Catholic Church, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his death following a prolonged hospitalization due to respiratory complications, including double pneumonia. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced the Pope’s passing at 7:35 a.m. local time […]
UNMISS calls for Dr. Machar’s release and de-escalation of Nasir conflict
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has urged the Security Council to intervene in securing the release of Dr. Riek Machar, along with other detained military and civilian officials, and to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Nasir, Upper Nile State. Mr. Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, highlighted […]
Stars of Change: Artists unite at “I AM PEACE” Boot Camp for peacebuilding through digital media
The “I AM PEACE” Boot Camp brought together South Sudan’s most creative talents, turning their passion for art into a driving force for peace and reconciliation. Over three dynamic days, musicians, content creators, comedians, and digital influencers worked together, not only to entertain but also to inspire and create impactful change in their communities. Organized […]
Youth activist urges government to shift focus to development
Lupai Samuel Kenyi, the Executive Director of the “I Am Peace Organization,” has called on South Sudan’s unity government to end the transition period and prioritize development. In an interview with Standard Zone News, Kenyi emphasized that the people of South Sudan yearn for progress and stability over conflict. “My message to the government is […]
Breaking Records: A landmark year for South Sudanese education
The National Council of the Ministry of General Education and Instructions has officially released the results of the 2024 primary examinations, marking a significant milestone for South Sudan’s education sector. The announcement, made in Juba on Tuesday, revealed an inspiring overall pass rate of 94.9%, showcasing the dedication and resilience of South Sudanese students. A […]
Foreign Minister Semaya Urges U.S. to Reconsider Visa Ban on South Sudanese
South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya K. Kumba, has appealed to the United States to reconsider its recent decision to revoke visas for all South Sudanese passport holders. The Minister made the appeal during a meeting on Saturday with U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler. According to a […]
VP Bol denounce ‘unverified’ letter expelling US Ambassador from South Sudan
The Office of the Vice President(VP) and Chairperson of Economic Cluster Dr. Bejamin Bol Mel has denounced a concocted letter alleging expulsion of US Ambassador from South Sudan. According to the statement posted on the office of the Vice President social media page Citizen are urged to considered the said letter fake. On Saturday, a […]
SPLM-IO Demands Return of Party T-Shirts from Defectors
Political tensions flared in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State as the SPLM-IO accused defectors, led by Minister Garang Atak Chan, of taking party T-shirts to the SPLM during their transition. The controversy has sparked heated debates over party loyalty and property rights. James Mador Wol, a lawmaker in the Council of States representing SPLM-IO, criticized […]
Kiir to Semaya: Advance South Sudan’s foreign policy
President Salva Kiir has tasked newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Monday Semaya Kumba, to actively promote South Sudan’s foreign policy objectives and project country’s good image. In a statement obtained by Standard Zone News, President Kiir made this appeal on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of Ambassador Semaya, where he […]
Over 2,000 SSOA forces join gov’t
At least 2,434 forces from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) in Greater Equatoria have defected to the government on Friday. The troops, who were part of the unified forces trained at seven key centres – Lologo, Rajaf, Awenjobol, Muni, Agot Makur, Maridi, and Rambur – graduated on August 30, 2022, during Phase One of […]
Mounting Pressure on Speaker Nunu to Reopen Parliament Amid National Crisis
As South Sudan grapples with persistent political conflict, an escalating economic crisis, and fragile peace efforts, public attention is increasingly turning to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), whose doors remain closed despite expectations for its reopening. Calls are growing from lawmakers, civil society organizations, and political figures for Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba to urgently […]
Area Administrator Denies Mobilization of Youth Toward Jonglei
The Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) has refuted claims of youth mobilization and marching toward neighboring Jonglei State for an attack. Peter Guzulu Maze, the Chief Administrator of GPAA, dismissed reports from the Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), citing prevailing circumstances that make such mobilization improbable. “First of all, we are dealing with a cholera […]
Cholera threat spurs cleanup in Juba’s Hai Referendum
A community cleaning campaign has been launched in Juba’s Hai Referendum to curb spread of cholera outbreak ahead of upcoming rainy season. Hai Referendum, a lowland area in Juba City is prone to flooding, making it vulnerable to water accumulation, creating ideal conditions for cholera bacteria. Spearheaded by Juba County authorities, the campaign is a […]
SSPDF Issues 72-Hour Ultimatum to GPAA Armed Youth to Halt March Toward Jonglei State
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to armed youth from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), ordering them to cease their advance toward Jonglei State and disperse immediately. In a statement released to the media, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang alleged that over the past three days, […]
South Sudan Faces Looming Hunger Crisis, Warns WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has raised alarm over a worsening hunger situation in South Sudan, warning that millions of vulnerable people are on the brink of starvation. In a statement released on Wednesday, WFP said the country is nearing record hunger levels, particularly in the northeast, where conflict is escalating. “Vulnerable families […]
Activist Urges South Sudan Armed Rivals to Respect Declared Ceasefire
Civil society activist Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has welcomed the recent ceasefire order issued by the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF). He called on both the SSPDF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) to honor the truce and […]
Ruling SPLM denies allegations of fueling SPLM-IO discord
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has denied involvement in ongoing political disputes within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO), stating that the party is “clean” Speaking to Standard Zone News, SPLM officials unequivocally denied any participation in the SPLM-IO’s internal power struggles. Party spokesperson Jimmy Atillio stated firmly, “We are not part and parcel […]
Deputy Speaker Oyet’s Office Closed; No Legal Basis Cited
By Jenifer J. Ogawi The leadership of South Sudan’s National Transitional Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has officially shut down the office of First Deputy Speaker Oyet Nathaniel, citing concerns over his use of social media – though no legal basis has been cited for the decision. TNLA spokesperson Oliver Mori announced the move on Tuesday, stating […]
A Diplomatic U-Turn: South Sudan Reverses Deportation Decision for Mr. Makula Kintu
By Jeniffer J. Ogawi In a surprising diplomatic move, the Government of South Sudan has reversed its previous decision regarding Mr. Makula Kintu, a South Sudanese national who was denied entry at Juba International Airport on April 5 and 6, 2025. This unexpected reversal comes after two days of uncertainty, as Mr. Kintu was left […]
Juba Reacts with Disappointment Over U.S. Visa Ban Linked to Deportee Incident
By Jenifer J. Ogawi The government of South Sudan has expressed disappointment and concern over the United States’ decision to revoke visas for South Sudanese nationals and suspend new visa issuance, following a recent deportation incident involving a misidentified individual. Speaking to the media on Monday, Ambassador Apuk Mayen, the Director General for Consular Affairs, […]
I Was Bullied for Wanting to Run for President—But I Stand Proud as a South Sudanese with a Disability
By Dr. Deng Bol Aruai Bol This week, a 3-minute, 39-second audio message from Mr. Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), was shared widely among the public. In it, Mr. Yakani raised serious concerns about growing incidents of bullying, mockery, and verbal abuse targeting persons with disabilities in […]
Yakani calls on NTC to convene urgent R-ARCSS meeting
The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani has called on the National Transition Committee (NTC) to convene meeting to address the challenges affecting peace. According to the statement extended to this outlet, Yakani expressed that the peace solution to the current instability will come when all parties to Revitalized Agreement […]
Governor Koang suspends SPLM/A-IO’s Nasir County Commissioner amid rising tensions
The Governor of Upper Nile State, James Koang Chuol Ranlay, has issued a gubernatorial order suspending the Commissioner of Nasir County, James Gatluak Lew Thiep, with immediate effect. According to Gubernatorial Decree No. 03/2025, dated April 4, 2025, and shared with the media, the suspension takes effect immediately. “I, H.E. James Koang Chuol Ranlay, Governor […]
South Sudan lifts nationwide curfew imposed after riots over Sudan killings
South Sudan has lifted a nationwide curfew imposed more than 10 days ago after a night of deadly rioting in the capital over the alleged killing of South Sudanese people by the army and allied groups in neighbouring Sudan, its spokesperson said on Monday. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Riots erupted in Juba and elsewhere in the […]
Commissioner Stephen Lowosio shot dead in ambush in Kasengor
South Sudan, June 12, 2026 – Authorities in Eastern Equatoria State have confirmed the killing of Kapoeta East County Commissioner Stephen Lowosio Lomongin in what officials described as a targeted ambush attack in the disputed area of Kasengor. In a statement issued on Thursday, Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore expressed deep sorrow over […]
Chamber of Commerce opposes garbage collection fee hike
The Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce is calling for the immediate suspension of a planned increase in garbage collection fees by the Juba City Council, warning that the move could further drain businesses already facing high operating costs and economic pressure. Speaking at a press briefing in Juba on Tuesday, Chamber Chairperson Robert Pitia […]
Children survive on leaves, water Lilies as hunger crisis deepens in Jonglei
Children and families in parts of Jonglei State are surviving on leaves, water lilies and seeds meant for planting as escalating conflict, displacement and flooding drive communities deeper into hunger and push some areas closer to famine, Save the Children has warned. The humanitarian organization said worsening insecurity has severely disrupted aid operations across parts […]
NSS threatens arrests over unauthorized security uniforms
South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) has warned that individuals found manufacturing, selling, possessing, or wearing official security uniforms without authorization risk arrest and prosecution under the country’s laws. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) of the NSS said it had observed an increase in cases involving unauthorized production […]
South Sudanese Christian youth launch Climate YES movement to advocate for climate justice
South Sudanese Christian youth on Saturday launched the Climate Youth Ecumenical Summit (YES), a national faith-based movement aimed at mobilizing young people to respond to the growing impacts of climate change across the country.YES The movement, known as Climate YES, is part of an international Christian youth advocacy network that emerged from the United Nations […]
Juba’s Sherikat residents call for roads, schools and better security
Residents of Sherikat in Juba County are calling on the government, development partners, and humanitarian organizations to urgently improve road infrastructure, expand access to healthcare and education, and strengthen security in underserved communities, citing worsening living conditions and rising insecurity. Community leaders and residents from areas including Kadoro, Jebel Amianini, and Gumbo say poor infrastructure […]
‘I am a businessman, not an intelligence officer,’ accused tells court
The ongoing Nasir case resumed in Juba on Monday with the second accused, businessman Mam Pal Dhuor, continuing his testimony before the court, where he firmly denied allegations that he acted as an intelligence collector or liaison between political figures in Juba and armed youth in Upper Nile State. Dhuor rejected claims linking him to […]
Aweil East youth union demands justice for its detained senior officials
Aweil East County Youth Union has urged authorities to either charge or release senior Northern Bahr el Ghazal officials detained over alleged corruption. The appeal was made during a press briefing in Juba on Sunday, where the youth body urged authorities to uphold constitutional guarantees of due process and the rule of law. Among those […]
Harassed, undocumented, yet determined: The untold story of refugee traders in South Sudan
Every morning before sunrise, Yasin Osman Adam Mohamed loads goods onto a vehicle bound for one of Juba’s bustling markets. Like thousands of Sudanese refugees who fled war and instability in neighboring Sudan, he is trying to rebuild a life shattered by conflict. But while entrepreneurship has offered a path toward survival and dignity, refugee […]
Greater Kapoeta communities want accountability from mining companies
Community leaders in Greater Kapoeta have called for greater accountability from mining companies, demanding that local communities benefit from the region’s mineral wealth. The call was made during a two-day forum organized by CSCNR, bringing together stakeholders from across Greater Kapoeta to assess mining activities and review community development commitments. Participants examined the implementation of […]
