Public applauds efforts to keep substandard food out of South SudanĀ

The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) has earned public praise for its decisive action in rejecting five trucks carrying substandard food products at the Nimule border. During routine inspections, officials identified two trucks transporting sorghum infested with live insects and three trucks of maize flour containing dangerously high levels of aflatoxin, posing a […]
All eyes on 2025-26 Financial Bill as Fiscal Year Budget out for public review

For the first time, South Sudanese citizens will have the opportunity to participate in the national budget process as the parliamentary committee for finance engages with civil society ahead of a public hearing on the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget. The preparation process has begun, with civil society organizations receiving a draft copy of the financial […]
Why UNSC should separate individual sanctions from arms embargo

Civil society activist Ter Manyang Gatwech has criticized the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) penholders for conflating arms embargoes with individual sanctions, pointing out various risks associated with these approaches. In a statement to Standard Zone News, Manyang, who leads the Centre for Peace and Advocacy, explained that these two measures serve different purposes, and […]
Twic East: A community that needs no workshops, seminars on elections to go to pollsĀ

Juba, South Sudan, (June 1, 2025) – In many parts of the world, civic education on elections often demands countless workshops, seminars, training, and logistical planning – to help citizens understand the voting process and its significance. But in Twic East County of Jonglei State, South Sudan, such measures seem unnecessary. Here, democratic participation is […]
South Sudanese civil society calls for political reconciliation ahead of elections

The Civil society organizations in South Sudan have called for immediate political dialogue to create a conducive environment for the country’s first fair, free, and credible elections. The call was made during a one-day dialogue held in Juba on Thursday which brought together over 60 participants from various regions, including representatives from each state, GPAA, […]
South Sudan’s gold sector faces revenue risks amid illicit mining

A new report by the Civil Society Coalition of Natural Resources (CSCNR) has exposed serious transparency issues and revenue collection risks in South Sudanās gold mining sector. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Social Policy and Research (ISPR), highlights how illicit mining practices and weak regulatory oversight are costing the government millions […]
Calls grow to depoliticize South Sudanās transitional justice process

Stakeholders across South Sudan are urging that the countryās transitional justice process remain free from political interference. This call came at the conclusion of a two-day national conference in Juba focused on selecting commissioners for key justice institutions outlined in the 2018 peace agreement. The conference, held last week, brought together representatives from civil society, […]
South Sudan renews pledge to end obstetric fistula by 2030

South Sudan has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating obstetric fistula by 2030 during the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula celebration held Friday at Juba Teaching Hospital. The commemoration, organized under the theme āA Renewed Commitment to Ending Fistula in South Sudan by 2030,ā brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, UNFPA, development partners, […]
Ruto calls for renewed momentum in Tumaini peace talks

Kenyan President William Ruto has called for renewed momentum in the Tumaini Peace Initiative, reaffirming Kenyaās steadfast support for the process despite persistent delays from South Sudanese parties. In a statement issued Thursday, President Ruto said he received a comprehensive briefing at State House Nairobi from the Tumaini Initiative mediators, led by retired Lt. General […]
Opposition divisions cast uncertainty over South Sudanās legislative future

South Sudanās parliament is set to reopen in June 2025, but deepening political divisions threaten the stability of legislative proceedings. The ongoing crisis, particularly within the Sudan Peopleās Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), has disrupted parliamentary functions, raising concerns about governance and the future of the peace process, according to an activist. Civil society leader […]