Paciko assumes office, pledges unity and reform
South Sudan’s new parliamentary speaker, Joseph Ngere Paciko, stepped into office on Tuesday with a message anchored in unity, reform, and urgency, as the country edges closer to a pivotal phase in its transition. Addressing lawmakers for the first time at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) in Juba, Paciko struck a tone of cautious […]
Women’s rights advocates demand action on family law gaps
Women’s rights advocates have issued a strong call for urgent action to address critical gaps in South Sudan’s draft Family Law Bill, warning that delays and weak provisions could undermine efforts to protect women, children, and vulnerable communities. The demands were voiced during a high-level dialogue in Juba convened by the Strategic Initiative for Women […]
Kiir administration rejects church pressure to release Dr. Machar
President Salva Kiir’s regime has pushed back against calls by the South Sudan Council of Churches to release First Vice President Riek Machar, insisting that the judicial process must proceed without interference. In a statement issued on March 17, the government said while it shares concerns raised by the church over the country’s deteriorating political, […]
South Sudan adopts long-awaited youth and sports policies
South Sudan has officially adopted its first-ever National Youth Development Policy and National Sports Development Policy, marking a major milestone in efforts to empower young people and strengthen the role of sports in national development. The policies were signed in Juba on Thursday by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mary Nawai Martin, during a […]
NBGS assembly passes SSP 40.5 billion budget at 3rd reading
The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Legislative Assembly has passed a SSP 40.5 billion budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year following its third reading on Tuesday. The budget was tabled by the State Minister of Finance, Dut Akot, and subsequently adopted by the Assembly after deliberations by lawmakers. With its passage, the Appropriation Bill will […]
Lawmakers in WES push Bill to jail men who abandon pregnant partners
Lawmakers in Western Equatoria State are advancing a crucial bill that seeks to criminalize men who impregnate women and later abandon them, leaving mothers to shoulder the full weight of pregnancy and childcare. The proposed law, currently at its first reading in the state legislative assembly, introduces tough penalties aimed at curbing rising cases of […]
Youth demand passage of youth bodies bill and student fund
South Sudanese youth are intensifying calls for the government to urgently pass two critical pieces of legislation the Youth Bodies Bill 2025 and the long-delayed Student Support Fund Bill as the Council of Ministers resumes its official sittings after months of inactivity. Markaz Al Salam (MAS), with support from the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), delivered […]
Justice minister tables major mining act amendment Bill in TNLA
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, on Tuesday tabled the Mining Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2025 before the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), marking the beginning of a far-reaching reform process aimed at reshaping South Sudan’s mining sector. Presenting the Bill during its first reading, Dr. Geng said the proposed […]
Women leaders demand action on family and anti-GBV bills
Women leaders across South Sudan have issued a powerful communiqué calling on the government to urgently pass the long-delayed Family Bill and Anti-GBV Bill. The group warned that stalled legal reforms continue to undermine women’s rights and protection. The statement came at the close of the National Gender Forum, held from November 5th to 7th […]
Governor Al-Taib signs first Bill into law in Western Equatoria State
The Governor of Western Equatoria State, James Al-Taib Jazz Berapai, has signed his first bill into law, marking a significant milestone in the state’s legislative and governance history. The new legislation, ‘The Western Equatoria Constitutional Postholders’ Emoluments and Entitlements Act 2025’ was signed on Friday at the Governor’s Office in Yambio. He signed in the […]
