SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...

Central Bank (BoSS) Launches South Sudan’s First Real-Time Interbank Payment System ‎

 

Bank of South Sudan Headquarters, Juba. 


‎JUBA, October 10, 2025 

The Bank of South Sudan has officially launched the country’s first-ever Interbank Payment and Settlement System (IPSS), a groundbreaking platform that enables banks to process and settle payments instantly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

‎The new system, commissioned on Thursday in Juba, marks a major milestone in the country’s financial modernization efforts. 

It allows real-time transfer of funds and securities between banks, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and security across the banking sector.

‎Speaking during the launch, Central Bank officials said the innovation will significantly reduce transaction delays and operational risks caused by manual clearing processes. 

The system is also expected to strengthen the bank’s ability to manage liquidity and implement effective monetary policies.

‎“This system will enable real-time payments and settlements at any time of the day or night, every day of the week,” a senior Central Bank official stated. “It will transform how banks interact, and how customers experience financial services in South Sudan.”

‎According to the Bank, the platform will promote financial inclusion by extending faster and safer banking services to more people including those in remote areas. 

It also opens opportunities for new digital financial innovations, such as mobile banking and online payment systems, which rely on real-time settlement capabilities.

‎The system will further facilitate interoperability between banks, ensuring customers can seamlessly transfer funds across different institutions. 

Analysts believe the move will attract investors, improve business transactions, and boost confidence in South Sudan’s growing financial sector.

‎However, experts have also cautioned that maintaining a secure, round-the-clock digital platform will require strong cybersecurity measures, continuous monitoring, and adequate staff training to ensure smooth operation.

‎The launch of the Interbank Payment and Settlement System positions South Sudan alongside other African nations modernizing their financial infrastructure to meet global standards.

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