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, […]
Lam Denies Poisoning Claims: “It’s a Lie”

Peter Lam Both, the former Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has strongly denied recent media reports claiming that he was poisoned in Juba and is currently receiving medical treatment. In a statement sent to The Standard Zone via WhatsApp, Lam addressed the rumors, saying, “This serves to inform the general public […]
SPLM-IO Demands Resigning Members to Step Down from Ministerial Posts

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) is calling for members who resigned while holding ministerial positions to vacate their offices. In an interview with The Standard Zone News on Monday, Daniel Akot Akot, the SPLM-IO chairperson in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, insisted that Garang Chan Atak, who stepped down from the party […]
The Joke of the Year: A Political Showdown in SPLM-IO

The SPLM-IO, a cornerstone of South Sudan’s political fabric, has weathered countless storms since its inception. Emerging from the nation’s turbulent history, the party has been a beacon of resistance and reform. Yet, recent events, following the arrest of the party’s leader, Dr. Riek Machar, confining him to the house, have laid bare internal divisions […]
Division Surfaces: SPLM-IO senior officials suspended amid peace uncertainty

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) has suspended four senior members, accusing them of conspiring to overthrow Dr. Riek Machar, the party’s chairman. Oyet Nathaniel Pierrino, the Acting Chairperson, issued a statement on Monday, alleging that the four members were involved in efforts to replace Dr. Machar, who is currently under arrest. The […]
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 […]