Juba News Today

09/09/2026

72 South Sudanese Nationals Among 51,000 Selected for U.S. Diversity Visa Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A total of 72 South Sudanese nationals were reportedly selected among approximately 51,000 individuals chosen for the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Program for Fiscal Year 2026, giving the selected applicants an opportunity to continue through the U.S. immigrant visa process.

However, the selection has raised an important question for South Sudanese applicants: Will those selected actually be able to receive their U.S. immigrant visas if separate U.S. entry or visa restrictions apply to South Sudan?

Being selected for the Diversity Visa lottery is not the same as being granted a visa. Selected applicants must still meet the program's eligibility requirements, complete the required immigration process, submit documentation, undergo background and security checks, and attend an interview when required. A consular officer must ultimately determine whether the applicant is eligible for visa issuance.

What Does the Selection Mean?

For the 72 South Sudanese selected, the notification is an opportunity to begin or continue the next stages of the immigration process. Applicants should not assume that selection automatically means they will be permitted to enter the United States.

This distinction is particularly important because immigration programs can be affected by presidential proclamations, executive orders, visa restrictions, security-related policies, or other changes in U.S. immigration law and policy.

Therefore, South Sudanese DV selectees should carefully determine how any applicable restrictions affect their individual cases before making major financial or travel commitments.

South Sudanese Applicants Urged to Check Their Status

South Sudanese nationals who participated in the DV-2026 lottery are encouraged to check their selection status through the official U.S. Department of State Diversity Visa system.

If you participated in the lottery, you should verify your result rather than relying on messages, social-media posts, emails, or third parties claiming that you were selected.

Those who discover that they have been selected should carefully follow the official instructions and deadlines. They should also keep their confirmation information and immigration documents secure.

The Big Question: Can Selected South Sudanese Still Obtain Their Visas?

This is likely to be the most important issue for the 72 selected South Sudanese.

Selection does not override a separate visa or entry restriction. If a restriction applies to South Sudanese nationals at the time a visa decision is made, the applicant's eligibility for a Diversity Visa may need to be considered together with that restriction and any available exceptions, waivers, or other legal provisions.

In other words, a person could legitimately be selected in the Diversity Visa program while still facing a separate legal obstacle to visa issuance.

The situation can also change as U.S. immigration policies are modified, challenged, clarified, or replaced. Applicants should therefore rely on current official U.S. government guidance rather than assumptions circulating online.

What Should DV-2026 Selectees Do Now?

South Sudanese applicants who were selected should:

- Verify their selection through the official DV system.
- Carefully review all instructions provided by the U.S. Department of State.
- Complete the required forms and documentation within the applicable deadlines.
- Keep their case information and confirmation number secure.
- Monitor official U.S. Embassy and Department of State announcements.
- Avoid paying individuals who claim they can guarantee a Diversity Visa.
- Avoid making irreversible travel or financial arrangements until visa issuance is confirmed.
- Seek qualified immigration legal advice if they believe a restriction may affect their case.

A Selection Is an Opportunity, Not a Guarantee

The selection of 72 South Sudanese nationals demonstrates that South Sudanese applicants were included among those selected for the DV-2026 program. However, the ultimate outcome for each applicant depends on individual eligibility, the availability of visas, applicable U.S. immigration rules, and any restrictions in force when the case is adjudicated.

For the selected South Sudanese applicants, the next stage is therefore critical. They should remain alert, follow the official process, and closely monitor changes in U.S. immigration policy.

The key question remains: Will all 72 selected South Sudanese nationals be able to overcome the applicable restrictions and ultimately receive their Diversity Visas?

That answer will depend on the laws and policies governing their cases at the time of adjudication and visa issuance.If you want, I can also turn this into a **stronger breaking-news version for Facebook/Juba News Today**, with a headline, subheadline, and a more attention-grabbing opening.Absolutely. I’d frame this carefully because being selected in the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery does not by itself guarantee visa issuance, especially where separate entry restrictions may apply.

72 South Sudanese Nationals Among 51,000 Selected for U.S. Diversity Visa Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A total of 72 South Sudanese nationals were reportedly selected among approximately 51,000 individuals chosen for the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Program for Fiscal Year 2026, giving the selected applicants an opportunity to continue through the U.S. immigrant visa process.

However, the selection has raised an important question for South Sudanese applicants: Will those selected actually be able to receive their U.S. immigrant visas if separate U.S. entry or visa restrictions apply to South Sudan?

Being selected for the Diversity Visa lottery is not the same as being granted a visa. Selected applicants must still meet the program's eligibility requirements, complete the required immigration process, submit documentation, undergo background and security checks, and attend an interview when required. A consular officer must ultimately determine whether the applicant is eligible for visa issuance.

What Does the Selection Mean?

For the 72 South Sudanese selected, the notification is an opportunity to begin or continue the next stages of the immigration process. Applicants should not assume that selection automatically means they will be permitted to enter the United States.

This distinction is particularly important because immigration programs can be affected by presidential proclamations, executive orders, visa restrictions, security-related policies, or other changes in U.S. immigration law and policy.

Therefore, South Sudanese DV selectees should carefully determine how any applicable restrictions affect their individual cases before making major financial or travel commitments.

South Sudanese Applicants Urged to Check Their Status

South Sudanese nationals who participated in the DV-2026 lottery are encouraged to check their selection status through the official U.S. Department of State Diversity Visa system.

If you participated in the lottery, you should verify your result rather than relying on messages, social-media posts, emails, or third parties claiming that you were selected.

Those who discover that they have been selected should carefully follow the official instructions and deadlines. They should also keep their confirmation information and immigration documents secure.

The Big Question: Can Selected South Sudanese Still Obtain Their Visas?

This is likely to be the most important issue for the 72 selected South Sudanese.

Selection does not override a separate visa or entry restriction. If a restriction applies to South Sudanese nationals at the time a visa decision is made, the applicant's eligibility for a Diversity Visa may need to be considered together with that restriction and any available exceptions, waivers, or other legal provisions.

In other words, a person could legitimately be selected in the Diversity Visa program while still facing a separate legal obstacle to visa issuance.

The situation can also change as U.S. immigration policies are modified, challenged, clarified, or replaced. Applicants should therefore rely on current official U.S. government guidance rather than assumptions circulating online.

What Should DV-2026 Selectees Do Now?

South Sudanese applicants who were selected should:

- Verify their selection through the official DV system.
- Carefully review all instructions provided by the U.S. Department of State.
- Complete the required forms and documentation within the applicable deadlines.
- Keep their case information and confirmation number secure.
- Monitor official U.S. Embassy and Department of State announcements.
- Avoid paying individuals who claim they can guarantee a Diversity Visa.
- Avoid making irreversible travel or financial arrangements until visa issuance is confirmed.
- Seek qualified immigration legal advice if they believe a restriction may affect their case.

A Selection Is an Opportunity, Not a Guarantee

The selection of 72 South Sudanese nationals demonstrates that South Sudanese applicants were included among those selected for the DV-2026 program. However, the ultimate outcome for each applicant depends on individual eligibility, the availability of visas, applicable U.S. immigration rules, and any restrictions in force when the case is adjudicated.

For the selected South Sudanese applicants, the next stage is therefore critical. They should remain alert, follow the official process, and closely monitor changes in U.S. immigration policy.

The key question remains: Will all 72 selected South Sudanese nationals be able to overcome the applicable restrictions and ultimately receive their Diversity Visas?

That answer will depend on the laws and policies governing their cases at the time of adjudication and visa issuance.

08/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: RSF Launches Surprise Drone Attack on Khartoum Airport for Second Time

KHARTOUM, Sudan, September 8, 2026 Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have launched a surprise drone attack targeting Khartoum International Airport, marking the second reported drone assault on the strategic facility amid the country’s continuing war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

The RSF claimed that its latest operation successfully struck the airport, describing the attack as a major and devastating blow to military and logistical infrastructure in the Sudanese capital. However, the claims could not immediately be independently verified.

Sudanese military authorities have rejected the RSF's account, saying that the country's air-defence systems detected and intercepted the incoming drones. According to the military, most of the drones were destroyed before they could reach their intended targets, contradicting the RSF's description of the operation as a major success.

The conflicting claims highlight the growing importance of drone warfare in Sudan's devastating conflict, which has increasingly evolved from conventional ground fighting into a war involving sophisticated unmanned aerial systems.

The airport becomes a strategic target.

Khartoum International Airport is strategically important because of its location in the capital and its potential role as a transportation and logistical hub. Any sustained disruption to the airport could have significant consequences for military operations, humanitarian access and the movement of people and supplies.

The latest attack comes as both the RSF and SAF continue to rely heavily on drones and other advanced weapons systems.

A September 3 report by the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan warned that the increased use of drones by both sides has dramatically intensified the war and resulted in devastating consequences for civilians and critical infrastructure.

The UN said it documented more than 1,000 civilian deaths from drone strikes between January and May 11, 2026, with attacks affecting hospitals, schools, places of worship, markets, displacement sites, electricity infrastructure and civilian gatherings.

The UN inquiry warned that some of the attacks could amount to war crimes, particularly where civilians and protected infrastructure were deliberately or indiscriminately targeted.

The growing drone warfare.was triggered by the use of jet fighters to bombard Khartoum to flash out the RSF.

The increasing use of drones represents a major transformation in Sudan's conflict.

The UN investigation found that both the RSF and SAF have expanded their drone capabilities with foreign-supplied equipment and technical support. The report identified sophisticated systems and foreign supply networks allegedly supporting the opposing forces.

The RSF has been accused of operating reconnaissance, strike and one-way attack drones, while the Sudanese Armed Forces have also expanded their drone fleet.

The development has allowed both sides to strike targets far beyond conventional front lines, making airports, military installations, power facilities, hospitals and urban centres increasingly vulnerable.

However, there are conflicting Claims regarding this alleged attack. This has shattered the hope to return and rebuild Khartoum.

The latest Khartoum airport incident demonstrates another challenge facing observers of the war: verifying battlefield claims in real time.

The RSF's assertion that the attack caused a devastating impact has not been independently confirmed, while the military's claim that most of the drones were intercepted also requires independent verification.

Neither side's version should therefore be treated as independently established until credible evidence becomes available.

The conflicting accounts are particularly significant because successful drone strikes against a major airport could represent an important military and psychological victory, while a successful interception would demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the SAF's air-defence capabilities.

With this attack, Sudan's war has entered a more dangerous phase.

Sudan's war, which began in April 2023, has produced one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, displacing millions and devastating civilian infrastructure.

The latest escalation in drone warfare raises concerns that the conflict could become even more technologically sophisticated and destructive.

The United Nations has called on states to enforce the existing Darfur arms embargo and consider expanding restrictions nationwide. It has also urged greater accountability for foreign suppliers, arms brokers and logistical networks accused of sustaining the conflict.

For civilians in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan, however, the growing reliance on drones means that the battlefield is increasingly reaching areas previously considered distant from frontline fighting.

As the two sides issue contradictory accounts of the Khartoum airport attack, the immediate extent of the damage remains unclear. Further independent verification will be necessary to establish whether the RSF's claimed strike caused significant damage or whether the military's air-defence systems successfully neutralized most of the incoming drones.

Source: United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan findings reported by Sudan Tribune on September 3, 2026.

21/08/2026

21/08/2026

South Sudan at a Crossroads: Why Elections Must Break the Cycle of Conflict and J1 Leaves the Matter of Postponing Elections to the National Parliament

By Bol Ringdit, a JNT Columnist

For nearly fifteen years, the people of South Sudan have waited. They have waited for peace after a devastating civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands South Sudanese lives. They have waited for the democratic transition promised under the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). And they have waited for elections—first scheduled for 2022, then 2024, and now set for December 22, 2026.

Now, as the clock ticks toward that date, a critical question looms: will South Sudan finally break free from the cycle of postponement and rebellion, or will it succumb to yet another delay?

The Presidential Palace Puts the Ball in Parliament's Court and it is now up to the National Parliament to either allow election be conducted or postpone it.

Sources within the presidency have revealed that the executive branch intends to leave any decision on postponing the December elections to the National Parliament. While the government maintains that it is prepared to conduct the presidential elections as scheduled, insiders acknowledge that this is a decision no single leader—not even President Salva Kiir—can make alone. Any postponement would require parliamentary action.

This procedural move is significant. It signals that the presidency, while publicly committed to the December timeline, is unwilling to bear sole responsibility for what would be the third consecutive postponement of South Sudan's first post-independence elections. The decision now rests with the legislature, where, according to sources, the majority of members remain firmly in favour of proceeding with the vote.

The People Have Spoken: Elections Are the Only Legal and peaceful path to pass power and leadership.

Across South Sudan, a groundswell of public opinion favours going to the polls. For a population that has endured decades of conflict, displacement, and unfulfilled promises, elections represent more than a political exercise—they represent the only legal, constitutional pathway to change. As one analyst put it, "the transition has reached its limits". Another delay would not resolve the country's underlying political problems, which include elite power struggles, weak institutions, and unresolved security arrangements.

The National Election Commission announced the December 22 date six months in advance, as required by law. President Kiir has formally assented to constitutional amendments clearing the legal pathway for the elections, delinking the vote from the completion of the permanent constitution-making process and the national population census. The legal framework is now in place.

Yet critics warn that the country is not ready. Institutions remain weak. Insecurity persists across large parts of the country. Voter registration has not started. The first vice-president and potential presidential contender, Riek Machar, remains detained and on trial. And the 2018 peace agreement's cornerstone provisions—including a permanent constitution and a unified national army—remain largely unimplemented.

International Community: Support Tempered by Warning

The international community is watching closely—and its reaction is far from uniform.

The African Union (AU) has been among the strongest advocates for proceeding with the December timeline. AU Envoy Jakaya Kikwete announced that President Kiir has guaranteed "there will be no further extensions to the transitional period," and confirmed that "the AU fully supports the December 2026 election timeline". In February, the AU made its position unequivocal: "The December 2026 deadline is not a suggestion; it is a final call for Juba to choose the ballot box over the battlefield before the peace process collapses entirely".

The United Nations has taken a more cautious—and urgent—tone. On August 20, 2026, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan issued a stark warning: the long-awaited elections "could fuel renewed conflict and heighten the risk of atrocities". The Commission found that "multiple risk factors for atrocity crimes are converging" and warned that "elections held without a strategy for democratic consolidation and preventing national schisms could instead fuel renewed conflict". Yasmin Sooka, chair of the commission, captured the dilemma perfectly: South Sudan's population deserves a genuine election, but "not one that puts their lives at risk".

The European Union has expressed regret that elections will be held under the transitional constitution rather than a permanent one, and noted that the "due process" for changing the peace agreement was not respected. Meanwhile, China, speaking at the UN Security Council, has called on all parties to "faithfully uphold and implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement" and welcomed African-led mediation efforts.

The United States, Britain, and Norway—the troika that has long been engaged in South Sudan's peace process—have previously called on leaders to take "urgent steps to ensure genuine and peaceful elections". However, recent statements from President Kiir's office have pushed back against external pressure, insisting that "political decisions must remain under the control of South Sudanese institutions and citizens".

Why South Sudan Believes It Must Move Forward

So why, despite these warnings and the evident lack of preparedness, does South Sudan appear determined to press ahead?

First, the cost of further delay is simply too high. Each extension of the transitional period has been justified by the promise that additional time would allow completion of key tasks—but that promise has never been fulfilled. There is little reason to believe that another two or three years would produce a different outcome. As one analysis concluded, "another transition extension is even less likely to resolve the country's underlying political problems".

Second, the transition has become an obstacle rather than a solution. The very mechanisms intended to guide South Sudan toward democracy—power-sharing arrangements, transitional institutions, and peace agreement benchmarks—have instead entrenched the status quo. Senior political and military figures who would be responsible for implementing transitional justice provisions could themselves become subjects of investigation, creating "little political appetite" to establish the necessary processes. The transition has, in effect, become self-perpetuating.

Third, elections represent the only legitimate exit strategy. President Kiir and allied parties have described elections as an "exit strategy" from prolonged transitional arrangements. For a country that has known nothing but war and fragile peace since independence in 2011, the ballot box offers a path—however imperfect—to break the cycle of violence and rebellion. The South Sudanese people deserve the chance to choose their leaders, and to hold them accountable.

Fourth, regional and international pressure is mounting. The AU has made clear that December 2026 is a final deadline, not a suggestion. IGAD has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting South Sudan in creating conditions for "peaceful, credible, inclusive, and transparent elections". The international community has a stake in ensuring that the transitional period comes to an end peacefully.

The Road Ahead is difficult and unknown but that is the only route to move forward as a nation.

South Sudan stands at a dangerous crossroads. The path forward is fraught with risk: elections held without adequate safeguards could indeed fuel renewed conflict. But the alternative—yet another postponement—offers no guarantee of a better outcome and would almost certainly deepen the political paralysis that has plagued the country for years.

The presidential palace has done the right thing by referring the matter to Parliament. Now, it falls to the legislature—and to the South Sudanese people—to decide whether December 2026 will mark the beginning of a new chapter or yet another postponement in a seemingly endless transition.

As the UN Commission warned, "the window to prevent a return to the scale of atrocities and displacement South Sudan endured between 2013–2018 is closing, but it has not yet completely shut". The question is whether South Sudan's leaders will seize that window—or let it slam shut once again.

One thing is certain: the people of South Sudan have waited long enough. They deserve an election. They deserve a say in their future. And they deserve leaders who will finally break the cycle of fighting and rebellion—not through more promises, but through the ballot box.

07/07/2026

07/07/2026

Jonglei Commissioner Reportedly Killed Amid Rising Political Tensions by the IO Forces

Reports from Jonglei State indicate that Commissioner Hon. James Kueth was killed in an attack that has further heightened political and security tensions in the region. Authorities are still expected to conduct a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

The killing of a public official has generated widespread grief and condemnation among local communities. Residents have expressed shock that such violence could occur in broad daylight, emphasizing that every South Sudanese citizen, regardless of political affiliation, deserves protection, dignity, and due process. Some witnesses also alleged that the commissioner's body was mistreated after his death, although these claims have not been independently verified.

Following the incident, some local youth blamed the SPLA-IO and voiced strong criticism of the movement, arguing that repeated incidents of violence have undermined public confidence ahead of future elections. These views reflect the opinions of those interviewed and have not been independently verified.

Community members also expressed concern over the continued cycle of conflict that has affected many parts of South Sudan. They cited years of killings, destruction of property, looting, the burning of homes, and the displacement of civilians, arguing that lasting peace cannot be achieved while violence continues. They called on all political and armed groups to respect human rights, protect civilians, and resolve disputes through peaceful political dialogue rather than armed confrontation.

Some residents went further by calling for tougher regional action against armed groups responsible for attacks on civilians. Such calls represent the views of individuals interviewed and do not reflect any official legal designation. Whether an organization is classified as a terrorist group is a matter for competent national or international authorities under applicable law.

Meanwhile, members and supporters of the SPLM have mourned the death of Commissioner James Kueth and other party members who have reportedly been killed in recent incidents. Party leaders urged citizens to remain calm, avoid retaliation, and continue working toward national unity. They emphasized that South Sudan's future depends on peaceful coexistence among all communities, regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or regional background.

As investigations continue, many South Sudanese are calling for those responsible for the commissioner's death to be identified through credible legal processes and held accountable in accordance with the law. Political observers have also urged all parties to reduce inflammatory rhetoric and recommit themselves to peace, dialogue, and the protection of civilian lives.

14/06/2026

BREAKING NEWS: Armed Nuer SPLA-IO Fighters Abduct 30 Central Equatoria Civilians in Overnight Raid on Morobo County

For Immediate Release – June 14, 2026

At Least 30 Civilians Abducted in Overnight Raid by Armed Group in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State

MOROBO COUNTY, Central Equatoria State — At least 30 civilians are missing following a violent night raid allegedly carried out by armed fighters affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State.

According to residents and relatives of the victims, heavily armed militants stormed several villages late on Friday, June 12, 2026, looting property and abducting civilians in a coordinated operation that has further undermined the region’s fragile security.

The attacks specifically targeted the villages of Kolombgo, Gomoja, Andipala, Kirinya, and Awuru, located within the Wudabi and Lujule Payams. Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunmen moved from house to house, forcibly rounding up residents and seizing livestock, food supplies, and household goods.

“They came at night when people were asleep,” said a relative of one abducted resident, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. “They fired into the air and ordered people out of their homes. Some managed to escape into the bush, but many were taken away.”

Local sources indicate that while several civilians fled during the chaos, approximately 30 remain unaccounted for. As of Sunday, no casualties had been officially confirmed, though families say they are deeply worried for the safety of those abducted.

Morobo County authorities had not issued an official statement by press time, and it remains unclear whether security forces have launched any operation to locate the missing civilians.

Background on Armed Presence

Under the terms of the 2018 peace agreement, SPLA-IO leader Riek Machar deployed thousands of his Nuer fighters across multiple states, including more than 40,000 in the three Equatoria states. Local residents and observers have since reported repeated incidents of violence and intimidation linked to these forces in Greater Equatoria.

The latest abductions add to a troubling pattern of insecurity in Morobo. In May 2026, five civilians were killed in an attack connected to a bridge construction project in the county, highlighting persistent volatility despite official assurances of improved security.

While government officials periodically announce relative calm following military deployments, Morobo continues to see intermittent clashes among the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), the SPLA-IO, and the National Salvation Front (NAS). The overlapping presence of armed groups has left civilians caught in the crossfire, with recurring incidents of looting, abductions, and targeted killings.

Human rights observers warn that ongoing instability in Central Equatoria State risks further displacement of vulnerable communities and threatens humanitarian and development efforts.

As families anxiously await news of their loved ones, calls are growing for urgent intervention by local and national authorities to restore security and prevent further attacks on civilians.