The National News Forum

09/10/2025

SPLM-IO says member arrested during Machar’s trial released

SPLM-IO says its member, Alfred Gatmai Koang, who was arrested on Wednesday during the ongoing trial of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and seven others, has been released.

According to a statement issued by SPLM-IO Youth League spokesperson Gattiek Wichar, Alfred Gatmai, who serves as the Information Secretary of Mayom County’s SPLM-IO Caucus in Juba, was released on Thursday afternoon.

He was reportedly detained by the National Security Service at Freedom Hall in Juba while attending the court proceedings of Dr. Machar and his co-accused.

“The national security didn’t provide any details surrounding his unlawful arrest, but the security officials insisted that Cde. Alfred Gatmai defied the search order while entering the Freedom Hall, an accusation which Alfred dismissed in its entirety,” the statement reads.

Wichar confirmed that Gatmai is in good condition and thanked those who worked to secure his release.

09/10/2025

the former Press Secretary in the Office of the President,Ateny Wek Ateny,Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Warrap State Hon. Dr. Acuil Malei Aliap and doubled as Assistant professor at the University of Barh Ghazal has arrived at the venue where The University of Bahr El Ghazal is hosting a honoring event for the welcoming ceremony of the newly admitted students in various colleges at the University of Barh Ghazal University.

📷 LVM

09/10/2025

: The CEO of ACIBIKLEUYIC, HocThon Laat Maker Riak advice to the Agaar Community

To my fellow Agaar people, allow me to speak from the heart. Henceforth, when one of our sons or daughters is appointed through a Presidential Decree, let us extend our congratulations in a modest and private manner — perhaps through a phone call or in person. The appropriate time for public celebration should come only after they have taken the oath of office.

Your Excellency, President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, with the highest respect, these recurrent revocations are inflicting more psychological distress than goodwill upon our people. It feels akin to being served a sumptuous meal, only for the plate to be withdrawn before the very first bite. Ironically, some of our brothers and sisters end up being referred to as “former” officials of positions they never even had the chance to occupy in practice.

Please, Mr. President, when my turn comes, kindly do not do that to me. Grant me the opportunity to demonstrate my competence and to serve our beloved nation with honor, humility, and integrity.

And to those who often ask why President Kiir has not appointed me — my response is simple: if the President does not appoint me, I will never turn against him or his government. Instead, I would rather return to Akot, my birthplace, and live as a farmer. As President John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” That has been my guiding principle because when one stands on the right side of history, God is on their side.

President Kiir is a great leader, and he deserves our unwavering support regardless of personal circumstance.

To our sons and daughters — let us learn to celebrate with modesty, anchored in patience and gratitude. True success is not found in the announcement, but in the service that follows and the legacy it leaves behind.

Finally, to those whose appointments are revoked, the most honest question to

09/10/2025

South African Vice President meets RJMEC leadership in Juba

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who is also the Presidential Special Envoy to the Republic of South Sudan, has met with the leadership of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) led by its Chairperson, Ambassador Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Charles Gituai Owinow.

RJMEC is the body mandated to monitor, evaluate, and report on the implementation status of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

During the meeting, Deputy President Mashatile commended the Commission for its vital role in overseeing the peace implementation process, emphasizing that RJMEC’s work remains instrumental to sustaining peace and stability in South Sudan.

Mashatile is expected to meet President Salva Kiir Mayardit later today, along with other signatories to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, to discuss progress and challenges in the ongoing peace implementation process.

09/10/2025

Breaking news Gun Attack on Jonglei Health Director,He Escapes Safely

Dr. Reath Koang, Director General of Jonglei State Ministry of Health, was attacked by unknown gunmen this morning around 7:30 AM in Muggiri while traveling to Bor.

His vehicle was hit by several bullets, but Dr. Koang escaped unharmed.

The National News Forum

09/10/2025

*Summary of Presidential Decrees* !

*President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday evening issued a series of Republican Decrees announcing major changes in both the national government and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). The decrees were read on SSBC by news anchor Rejoice Samson* .

1. Beny Gideon Mabor has been relieved of his duties as Minister of East African Community Affairs and replaced by Gen. Pieng Deng Kuol (Pieng Deng Majok), the former Inspector General of Police.

2. Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol has been sacked as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the SSPDF, while Gen. Dr. Paul Nang Majok has been reappointed to the position.

3. Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin has been removed as Minister of Transport and replaced by Rizik Zachariah Hassan, who had earlier been dismissed from his previous post as Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism.

4. Rizik Zachariah Hassan has been relieved as Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, and Denay Jock Chaguor, former Governor of Jonglei State, has been appointed as his successor. Rizik Zachariah in a separate decree has been reassigned as Minister of Transport.

5. Dr. Michael Lopuke Lotyam has been dismissed as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) and replaced by Samuel Yanga Mikaya.

6. Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol, after his removal as Chief of Defence Forces of SSPDF, has been appointed as Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

7. Dr. Michael Lopuke Lotyam has been reassigned as Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Higher Education.

8. Sebit John Mabok has been appointed as Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Interior.

9. Mary Hillary Wani Pitia has been relieved as Undersecretary in the Ministry of Labour and replaced by Deng Tong Kenjok.

10. Mary Hillary Wani Pitia has been reassigned as Undersecretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs.

08/10/2025

BREAKING: President Salva Kiir made several changes in the government, relieving and appointing national ministers.

The President revoked the appointment of Beny Gideon and appointed Pieng Deng as the new Minister of East African Affairs. Kiir also relieved Dr. Lam Akol and CDF Dau Atorjong.

Kiir appointed Paul Nang as news CDF, furthermore, he appointed Denay Chagor as new the Minister of Wildlife, Conservation, and Tourism, replacing Zakaria who was appointed as the Minister of Transport.

08/10/2025

We did not killed Civilians, SPLA-IOs are in Civilian clothes, says SSPDF spokesperson

The spokesperson has refuted the social media claimed that the government forces killed civilians in Western Equatoria state.

Addressing media on Wednesday, Gen L*l Ruai Koang the Spokesperson of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) dismissed the information on killing of civilians.

He instead started that members of the Sudan People Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) continue to attacked government while they are in civilian dresses.

“We did not move from house to house eliminating civilian i would like to make it clear that in Western Equatoria and especially Negero County most of the SPLA-IO soldiers that are there do not have uniforms they are in Civilian Clothes and even they one that were engaging us were in civilians” L*l said

L*l was responding to an incident circulating in social media where some young men in civilian uniform were killed.

Some members of the public blamed SSPDF for killing Civilians in Western Equatoria State

07/10/2025

Unified forces fight outside Abyei Box killing 14 soldiers

At least 14 South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, including two police officers, were killed and five others injured in a deadly clash among the Tiger Unit in Athoony near Abyei Box on Monday evening.

According to Lt. Gen. Peter Bawa Jamus, the commander of Twic–Abyei operational forces, the fighting erupted after an officer shot and killed a captain he accused of having an affair with his wife.

The officer was also killed on the spot, leading to hours of gunfire among soldiers in the unit.

“A 2nd Lieutenant identified as Koch Khai found a captain identified Deng Dol talking with his wife. He didn’t take patience and started shooting. He killed the captain on spot, and he was also killed. Both died on spot,” Jamus said.

“The fighting was between Tiger division unit alone and majority of the death is among tiger division unit.14 soldiers were killed. Majority of the deceased are soldiers, two policemen and 4 others sustained injuries.”

The commander said the fighting has stopped and the situation has calmed. However, he said that more than 400 former SPLA-IO forces, part of the unified VIP protection unit deployed outside the Abyei Box, deserted their positions in Athoony, Biemnhom, Aneet, and Makuei Gum.

The deserters, under the command of Colonel James Gatjiek Koang, reportedly moved north toward the Abyei Administrative Area.

The commander on the ground says the situation in Athoony has since returned to normal, but the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO spokespersons said investigations are ongoing into what triggered the deadly confrontation within the SSPDF ranks.

“Armed confrontations had erupted between the unified VIP protection force deployed outside of Abyei Box. More updates will follow as soon as SSPDF's components of the unified force are done with mopping- up operations,” said Maj. Gen. L*l Ruai Koang, SSPDF spokesperson.

“Clashes erupted in Abyei between the SPLA-IO component of the Unified VIP Protection Force and the SSPDF. Details will follow later as clashes still ongoing,” Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO Spokesperson

Daniel Mathiang Malek, the clinical officer in charge of Mayen Abun Hospital, said five wounded soldiers are receiving treatment at the facility.

“The wounded people who reached us here in Mayen Abun Hospital are eight, and later three people died last night, remaining five patients. They are in critical condition and will be referred to Mother Teresa Hospital for further treatment,” Malek stated.

Source: Mayardit FM

07/10/2025

06/10/2025

Fruitful message from Joshua Maponga on why prisoners are eating free food and wasting taxpayers' money.