South Sudanese mediators calls for ceasefire ahead of Dec. 15–19 home dialogue

A coalition of national mediators and stakeholders has issued a strong call for a nationwide ceasefire ahead of next week’s long-awaited joint dialogue between stakeholders and the party’s signatory to the 2018 Peace Agreement. The discussions, scheduled for 15–19 December 2025, are expected to bring political actors together for the most significant homegrown peace engagement […]
Civil society condemns killing of Yei student, demands swift action

The Central Equatoria State Civil Society Network (CESCSN) has strongly condemned the brutal killing of a Senior Three student in Yei River County, calling the attack “ruthless” and a grave violation of fundamental human rights. The victim, Emmanuel Kanjo Kennedy, popularly known as Kennedy, was a student at Immanuel Model Secondary School and a rising […]
SSPDF confirms disarming SAF troops entering border after Heglig clash

The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have confirmed that they disarmed a group of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers who crossed the border into Paan Akuach following fierce clashes around the contested Heglig/Panthou oil region. Lieutenant General Johnson Olony, SSPDF Assistant Chief for Mobilization and Disarmament, told reporters that dozens of SAF soldiers fled […]
Magwi commissioner bans tramadol sales, charcoal export

Magwi County Commissioner Pole-pole Benjamin Olum has issued two sweeping local orders banning the sale of Tramadol and the export of charcoal, in a move aimed at curbing rising drug abuse among youth and halting widespread illegal logging in the area. The directives, signed on 8 December 2025, impose strict penalties on pharmacies, drug shops, […]
Health ministry backs KCBDI as model for national blood safety

The National Ministry of Health has thrown its weight behind the Kajo-Keji Community Blood Donors’ Initiative (KCBDI), praising it as a model that could transform South Sudan’s fragile blood supply system and help avert preventable deaths across the country. The endorsement came on Sunday during KCBDI’s Second Annual Meet-and-Greet at Epatha Primary and Secondary School, […]
Paramilitary forces take control of Sudanese largest oil hub

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly seized control of the country’s largest oil hub, the Heglig field, on Monday, forcing all staff to evacuate across the border into South Sudan, according to an engineer at the facility. The Heglig field, located in the southern Kordofan region, is a vital processing and export hub for […]
Activist Yakani condemns assault on lawyer in forced marriage case

A human rights activist has condemned the reported assault of defense lawyer Josephine Ahel (Adhet) Deng inside a Juba police station, describing the incident as a serious breach of child-protection laws and a troubling escalation in a long-running forced marriage case involving a teenage girl. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress […]
Youth movement “Sout Al Shaab” launches for nonviolent civic change

A new youth-led movement, Sout Al Shaab (Voice of the People), has officially launched with a bold mission to reshape civic participation in South Sudan through nonviolent action and citizen empowerment. Unveiled in a public press statement attended by media, community leaders and members of the public, the initiative positions itself as a non-partisan platform […]
Tramadol’s deadly comfort: Inside the drug epidemic swallowing youth

Nelson Mandela (not his real name) holds the handlebars of his boda boda, his eyes focused but distant. At 26, he is one of many young men in Juba battling not just the brutal competition of the city’s transport sector, but a growing addiction to Tramadol. For Nelson, the drug isn’t merely about getting high, […]
After years of drama, SPLM opens doors for opposition dialogue

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has announced that it is finally opening its doors to dialogue with all opposition groups. The shift comes after years of political friction, stalled negotiations, and prolonged national uncertainty that have weighed heavily on the country’s journey toward lasting peace. The announcement followed a high-level consultative meeting chaired by […]