JubaWire

‎ ‎In a significant diplomatic move, the Russian Federation is preparing to open its embassy in South Sudan between September and October 2025, marking a major milestone in the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations. ‎ ‎The news was confirmed by South Sudan’s Ambassador to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay, during a farewell event for a South Sudanese ICT delegation that recently attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025). ‎ ‎A Long-Awaited Diplomatic Presence ‎The planned opening of a Russian embassy in Juba is seen as a long-overdue development in South Sudan-Russia relations.  ‎ ‎Since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, Russia has maintained diplomatic accreditation to Juba from its embassy in Khartoum.  ‎ ‎The establishment of a permanent diplomatic mission in the South Sudanese capital is expected to significantly boost cooperation, streamline consular services, and facilitate more direct political, economic, and cultural exchanges....

‎A violent land dispute in Mayendit County, Unity State, has left one woman seriously injured and a prison officer in police custody after a shocking spear attack that has raised new concerns about land conflict and abuse of authority in South Sudan. ‎ ‎The Dispute That Escalated ‎According to local authorities, the incident occurred in Rubkuay Payam on Monday, June 23, when a disagreement between a prison officer and a local woman over land ownership spiraled into violence. ‎ ‎The prison officer, identified as Tap Dak, had reportedly been allocated the disputed land through an official government land survey.  ‎ ‎However, the original occupant, a woman named Nyakuol, refused to vacate the property. Eyewitnesses say that after a heated verbal exchange, Dak reacted violently. ‎ ‎“He lost the debate and took his spear and speared the woman twice in the stomach and in the hand,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tap Door, head of the police in Mayendit. ‎ ‎Nyakuol was critically injured in the ...

Lakes State  prison facilities in Lakes State has triggered a major public health emergency, as health authorities confirm that more than 130 inmates have been infected with monkeypox, chickenpox, and smallpox-like illnesses.  ‎ ‎The affected prisons, Rumbek Main Prison and Pachong Prison, are grappling with overcrowding and poor sanitation, making it difficult to contain the spread of the disease. ‎ ‎Since April 17, 2025, health officials have recorded 134 suspected cases, including two confirmed cases of monkey-pox. The situation has prompted urgent intervention from the Ministry of Health and its humanitarian partners Sparks Health Emergency in Lakes State ‎An outbreak of infectious diseases in two prison facilities in Lakes State has triggered a major public health emergency, as health authorities confirm that more than 130 inmates have been infected with monkeypox, chickenpox, and smallpox-like illnesses.  ‎The affected prisons, Rumbek Main Prison and Pachong Prison,...

‎ President Salva Kiir Mayardit has embarked on an official diplomatic visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), signaling a renewed effort by the Government of South Sudan to strengthen bilateral ties, attract foreign investment, and advance regional peace through economic diplomacy. ‎ ‎According to Presidential Press Secretary Ambassador David Amuor Majur, the visit will include high level meetings with Emirati government officials and top investors, with a focus on building confidence in South Sudan’s economic potential. ‎ ‎“President Kiir is presenting a compelling case for investment, based on recent reforms that have improved the ease of doing business in South Sudan,” said Ambassador Amuor. ‎ ‎A Growing Partnership ‎The UAE has been a strategic diplomatic and economic partner for South Sudan since the young nation gained independence in 2011. Over the years, relations have grown, especially in areas of humanitarian aid, trade, and investment interest. ‎ ‎In 2022, the UAE hosted t...

‎ President Kiir.  ‎In a significant political shift ahead of South Sudan’s much anticipated general elections, President Salva Kiir has appointed Comrade Paul Logole as the new Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and Comrade Baba Medan as Deputy Secretary General. ‎ ‎The announcement was made via state broadcaster SSBC, and it marks one of the most consequential changes in SPLM’s top leadership in recent years. ‎ ‎Who Are the New SPLM Leaders? ‎Paul Logole  Secretary General ‎Paul Logole is a veteran SPLM figure known for his quiet discipline, organizational skills, and long term loyalty to the movement.  ‎ ‎While not widely visible in the public eye, he has played key roles behind the scenes in party management and coordination.  ‎ ‎As Secretary General, Logole will now be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the SPLM, including planning for the upcoming elections. ‎ ‎Baba Medan  Deputy Secretary General ‎Baba Medan is a dy...

‎In a major development on South Sudan’s political roadmap, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has received a comprehensive report on the country's electoral readiness from the Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), Prof. Abednego Akok Kachuol.  ‎Both leaders reaffirmed that general elections will be conducted on December 26, 2026, honoring commitments made in the revitalized peace agreement and recent dialogues among political parties. ‎ ‎A Milestone Toward Democratic Transition ‎The confirmation of the election date is seen as a critical step toward ending the transitional period, which has been in place since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in 2018.  ‎The general elections are expected to pave the way for a legitimate, democratically elected government and put an end to years of interim governance and delays. ‎“The general elections are not just a political obligation they are a prom...

‎International bodies are sounding the alarm as South Sudan's fragile peace process teeters on the edge of collapse. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) have warned of deepening divisions, rising insecurity, and stalled implementation of the 2018 peace deal. ‎ ‎A Dangerous Breakdown in Peace ‎The 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) brought hope to a nation shattered by civil war. But that hope is now dimming. ‎In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Guang Cong, the Deputy Head of UNMISS, revealed that over 130,000 people have been displaced in recent months due to a surge in armed violence particularly in Upper Nile and Greater Pibor.  ‎The increase in military activity and the escalation of localized conflicts have disrupted humanitarian access and eroded confidence between the signatories of the peace agreement. ‎“These are not just isolated ...

President Kiir and Kuol Manyang ‎Senior Presidential Advisor and Chairperson of the National Transitional Committee (NTC), Kuol Manyang Juuk, has updated President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the ongoing efforts to implement the security provisions of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). ‎ ‎During a briefing held at the State House in Juba, Kuol Manyang expressed optimism about the progress made by the NTC, saying: “We are progressing well.” He emphasized that the Committee remains fully committed to delivering on the key tasks outlined in the peace deal, particularly those related to Chapter Two, which covers security arrangements including the unification of forces, training and redeployment, and DDR (disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration) programs. ‎ ‎“Security is the backbone of lasting peace,” Kuol stated. “We are prioritizing this chapter because without strong and united security institutions, the broader ...

‎Jonglei State, South Sudan. At least 13 people have been killed and more than 20 others injured in renewed communal clashes between the Hol and Ayual communities in Jonglei State, officials confirmed on Thursday. ‎ ‎The deadly fighting broke out on Wednesday at Bioth-Agany Fishing Island, a disputed area between Duk and Twic East counties, after armed youth from the Hol community of Duk reportedly launched an attack on the island currently claimed by the Ayual community of Twic East. ‎ ‎Twic East County Commissioner Juach Arok Juach stated that seven people from his community were killed, seven others wounded, and four remain missing. He added that Hol youth are still occupying the area and tensions remain high. ‎ ‎On the other side, Duk County Commissioner John Chatim confirmed six deaths and 14 injuries among the Hol community.  ‎ ‎“We are urging our youth to cease fighting and allow the government to take over the matter and investigate. There must be accountability,” Chatim s...