Is Kiir’s political shake-up a path to peace or conflict?
President Salva Kiir’s removal of top SPLM-IO leaders from the transitional legislature has triggered a storm of criticism from the opposition and civil society, with warnings that the move could weaken the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement instead of strengthening it. Among those removed is First Deputy Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Oyet Nathaniel, the […]
CEPO threatens gov’t with lawsuit over 35% women’s quota violation
A prominent civil society organization is threatening to sue the transitional government over failure to meet the 35% quota for women in leadership positions, as mandated by the 2018 peace agreement. The Community Empowerment Progress Organization (CEPO) is giving the government a three-month ultimatum to rectify what it describes as “absolute violation” of women’s rights […]
AU scene heats up as Kuol, Machar allies clash over detention tale
Senior presidential advisor, Kuol Manyang Juuk, has reiterated that the house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar is a criminal matter with no political undertones, while Machar’s allies accused the government of political persecution. Kuol, who chairs the high-level committee overseeing the implementation of the 2018 peace deal, made the statement on Monday during a briefing […]
Civil Aviation Authority enforces removal of illegal Juba Airport occupants
After weeks of warnings, the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) has commenced the forceful removal of numerous illegal shipping containers and makeshift stalls that have occupied Juba Airport’s land for years. This cleanup follows the elapse of final ultimatum issued last Friday by SSCAA Director General John Woja Elinana, who stated that the authority’s […]
Israeli strike kills five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza
Five Al Jazeera journalists were killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike near the main gate of Al-Shifa Hospital, the broadcaster said. The dead include correspondents Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa. The network said they were in a tent used by reporters when the strike occurred. […]
Gulu chosen as nerve centre for border clashes investigation
South Sudan and Uganda have agreed to form a 14-member joint investigative committee to probe last month’s deadly border clashes, with its base set in Gulu, northern Uganda. The decision followed a high-level meeting in Juba on Saturday between UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and SSPDF Chief Gen. Dau Aturjong. According to […]
Economic crisis fuels illegal arms trade in South Sudan – CEPO
South Sudan’s deepening economic crisis, which has resulted in more than a year of unpaid salaries for organized forces, is driving a surge in illegal arms trading, with dangerous consequences for peace and stability, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has warned. CEPO Executive Director Edmund Yakani said the worsening financial hardship is pushing […]
Tombura under siege: Activist warns of growing terror and ethnic killings
The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmond Yakani, has issued an urgent plea to President Salva Kiir and top security officials to intervene in what he describes as a “city of terror” unfolding in Tombura County, Western Equatoria State. Speaking on Sunday, Yakani said worshippers in Tombura town were forced to […]
CES lawmakers demand urgent action on land grabbing, revenue interference
Members of the Central Equatoria State Parliamentary Caucus in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States have called for swift measures to address land grabbing and interference in state revenue collection by the South Sudan Revenue Authority. In a statement seen by The Standard Zone News, the lawmakers made their appeal on […]
Western envoys repeat demand for Machar’s release, Juba remains defiant
Western powers have once again renewed their call for the immediate release of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and other political detainees, warning that continued repression threatens to unravel South Sudan’s fragile peace accord. In a joint statement, the Embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada condemned recent […]
