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South Sudan Voice, Juba (2026)

23/01/2026

𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐈.

South Sudan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Paul Nang Majok, has given government troops seven days to end the rebellion in Jonglei State, amid escalating clashes with SPLA-IO forces that now threaten the key town of Bor, close to the capital Juba.

Reinforcements have been deployed to Bor, with reports of Ugandan military support. Analysts warn the fighting risks reigniting wider conflict, as the UN calls for an immediate ceasefire, citing fears of civilian casualties, displacement, and rising political tensions linked to delays in the 2018 peace agreement.

23/01/2026

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐋 𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐊𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐃 𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐇.

Political analyst Dr. Sunday De John has defended South Sudan’s Public Services Minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, following criticism over his remarks that leaders risk joblessness if the current regime falls.

Dr. De John said Gatkuoth’s comments were “honest and grounded in political reality,” noting that all regimes seek to survive and that opposition figures, including Dr. Riek Machar, have historically avoided system collapse without controlling the transition themselves.

Citing historical examples such as former Ethiopian leader Mengistu Haile Mariam, he warned that regime collapse often results in exile or political extinction.

Dr. De John added that Gatkuoth spoke plainly and cautioned against misrepresenting political statements as sensational news.

23/01/2026

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐊𝐈𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐍'𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has received new ambassadors from France, Germany, the EU, AU, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Russia in Juba.

The diplomats pledged support for peace, stability, investment, and democracy, signaling a step forward in South Sudan’s diplomatic engagement.

22/01/2026

South Sudan minister warns against tribalising Jonglei violence

South Sudan’s Minister of Public Services and Human Resources Development, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, says civilians are bearing the brunt of ongoing clashes in parts of Jonglei State.

In a statement issued on 22 January, Mr Gatkuoth urged members of the diaspora to reflect on the impact of fuelling violence, warning that conflict leads only to deaths, displacement and trauma.

He said the government has a constitutional responsibility to protect its citizens and called for well-planned security operations by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces against what he described as armed anti-peace groups, particularly in border areas such as Akobo.

Mr Gatkuoth stressed that the violence is political and security-related rather than tribal, warning that attempts to frame it along ethnic lines are “dangerous and irresponsible”.

He added that restoring order, protecting civilians and safeguarding national sovereignty remain the government’s top priorities.

22/01/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧: 𝐘𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞, 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥

Civil society activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed South Sudan’s newly formed election dialogue committee, describing it as a positive step toward inclusive political engagement ahead of the 2026 elections.

However, he warned that the process must strictly adhere to both the spirit and letter of the 2018 peace agreement, cautioning that any violations could threaten national stability.

Mr Yakani said attempts by political elites to alter key provisions of the peace deal or prioritise personal interests before the formation of a post-election government could undermine peace and security.

He urged leaders to place citizens’ safety above political ambitions, warning that breaching the agreement could damage the credibility of elections scheduled for December 2026.

22/01/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 2026 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

President Salva Kiir plans to establish a dialogue committee to engage signatories of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement and other stakeholders on election-related issues.

Sources indicate that invitations have already been sent, but the SPLM-IO faction led by detained First Vice President Riek Machar has not been invited, raising concerns about the inclusivity of the process.

Civil society groups have warned that excluding key stakeholders amid ongoing insecurity could threaten the credibility of the 2026 elections.

More updates to follow.

22/01/2026

Message to IO Forces in Northern Jonglei

Please surrender yourselves peacefully before the SSPDF Special Forces, along with the rest of the forces. Avoid confrontation to ensure your safety and the safety of all involved.

22/01/2026

𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐲𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬

Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior has highlighted weaknesses in the country’s statistical system, saying much of the available information is scattered and unreliable.

“We have excellent policy documents, but they are currently gathering dust on shelves,” she said. “We cannot plan our future if we continue to rely on data collected outside the government. We must build our own capacity to govern with evidence, not assumptions.”

The Vice President’s comments come amid growing calls for improved data collection and evidence-based policy-making across government institutions.

22/01/2026

𝐒𝐒𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀 -𝐈𝐎

Heavy South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) reinforcements have been deployed to Baidit Payam, Bor County, as tensions escalate in Jonglei State following clashes with SPLA-IO forces.

Army Chief Gen. Paul Nang Majok, speaking to troops on the ground, vowed to prevent any advance toward Bor and Juba, referencing past conflicts in 1991 and 2013. “The rebellion here should be ended and crushed,” he said, setting a seven-day timeframe for operations.

The deployment comes after SPLA-IO captured Pajut in Duk County, prompting heightened alert among SSPDF units from Divisions 3, 5, and 12. Authorities have also placed troops on standby in Ayod County amid fears of further unrest.

The situation reflects ongoing tensions between government forces and SPLA-IO in Jonglei, raising concerns about renewed violence in the region.

21/01/2026

South Sudan Introduces Digital Payments for Passports After Months-Long Shortages

South Sudan has abolished cash payments for passports and national IDs, introducing a bank-linked digital payment system at immigration offices in the capital. The move comes after months of shortages and public frustration over delayed travel documents.

National Revenue Authority Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol said officers will no longer handle cash directly, adding: “What they will see is a receipt from the bank.” Authorities say the reform aims to reduce revenue leakages, eliminate informal practices, and stabilize the supply of passports.

Officials said the system will improve transparency in payments, though analysts caution that broader reforms, including a national digital ID, are still needed to modernize public services.

21/01/2026

South Sudan Government Invites Stakeholders to Election Dialogue

Juba, 19 January 2026 – The South Sudanese government has invited key stakeholders to participate in a dialogue on election-related matters.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs extended an official invitation to Mr Edmund Yakani of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization to join the talks, following a resolution from an expanded presidential meeting on 10 December 2025. The dialogue is aimed at addressing concerns raised by signatory parties under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The discussions are expected to provide a platform for constructive talks on electoral issues. Participants are required to confirm attendance by 22 January 2026, after which the President will formally establish the leadership body to oversee the dialogue process.

Minister Africano Mande Gedima stressed the importance of the initiative in promoting peace, inclusivity, and stability in South Sudan’s electoral process, assuring stakeholders of full support from the Office of the President.

No further details on the dialogue’s format or schedule have been released.

21/01/2026

South Sudan Opposition Figure Condemns Killing of Senior Petroleum Official in Juba

A senior South Sudan opposition leader has condemned the killing of a top government official in the capital, Juba.

Oyet Nathaniel, the deputy chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), criticised the reported shooting of Eng. Conty Okot P’ogwaro, the newly appointed managing director of pipelines at the Ministry of Petroleum.

Mr Okot was shot dead while inside his vehicle on the Custom–Rock City Road, according to reports.

Describing the incident as “barbaric”, Mr Oyet alleged that armed groups were terrorising the city and rejected claims that the killing was linked to the victim’s alleged refusal to stop his vehicle.

“If a driver refuses to stop, it is not a death penalty,” he said, adding that he did not believe the official was killed for that reason.

Mr Oyet accused the authorities of failing to protect civilians and called for a full investigation, saying those responsible should be held accountable.

He also offered condolences to the victim’s family, saying he hoped justice would be served.

South Sudanese authorities have not yet commented publicly on the incident.

South Sudan Voice

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