Articles by Garang A. Malak
Rise and fall of Salva Kiir’s ‘crown prince,’ Bol Mel
For nearly four years, Dr Benjamin Bol Mel was widely perceived as President Salva Kiir’s chosen successor, earning him the nickname “crown prince” on social media. But now, his dramatic dismissal marks the end of one of South Sudan’s most controversial and short-lived political ascents, albeit in line with Kiir’s revolving-door policy.
Rise and fall of Salva Kiir’s ‘crown prince,’ Bol Mel
For nearly four years, Dr Benjamin Bol Mel was widely perceived as President Salva Kiir’s chosen successor, earning him the nickname “crown prince” on social media. But now, his dramatic dismissal marks the end of one of South Sudan’s most controversial and short-lived political ascents, albeit in line with Kiir’s revolving-door policy.
UN calls for fairness as Machar trial is adjourned again Original
The high-stakes trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and his co-accused was, again, adjourned—this time to Wednesday—as legal technicalities and procedural delays continued to dominate proceedings inside Juba’s Freedom Hall. The Special Court, presided over by Justice James Alala, also includes two other judges. It paused the hearing on Monday after the prosecution team failed to fully submit key documents that were expected on the first day of proceedings.
South Sudan blocks media, families from Machar trial
The trial of South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, Riek Machar, opened on Monday in Juba under heavy security and restricted access. Private media outlets, victims’ families, and members of civil society were barred from entering Freedom Hall, where the hearings are being held. Roads leading to the venue — including University of Juba Road, Custom Road, Ministries Road, and Hai Soura Road — were sealed off, causing major traffic disruptions in the capital.
Authorities bar media from covering Machar trial Original
The trial of South Sudan’s suspended First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, got off to a rocky start on Monday after private media outlets were denied access to the venue. And the court proceedings caused major traffic disruptions across parts of the capital Juba as roads leading to Freedom Hall — including University of Juba Road, Custom Road, Ministries Road, and Hai Soura Road — were blocked by security forces.
South Sudan in dilemma over Palestinian refugee proposal
South Sudan’s government is fighting reports of a planned relocation of Palestinian refugees from Gaza to its territory, even after word went round of talks to implement the move. On Wednesday, South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation denied there were any talks to receive Gaza refugees as Israel plots to take over the Palestinian enclave.
Splinter group ousts Riek Machar as SPLM-IO leader
South Sudan’s main opposition party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), is in a crisis after members of a splinter group replaced First Vice-President Riek Machar, who is under house arrest, as party leader. Stephen Par Kuol was named interim chairman in the controversial decision arrived at during a meeting in Juba on Wednesday, which was largely boycotted by top officials of the party.
Humanitarian crisis in South Sudan worsens, says NGO
What you need to know: The country is grappling with conflict and a worsening cholera outbreak, while famine looms. The situation in South Sudan is worsening, potentially reversing gains in stability made after the 2018 peace deal, a charity has said. CARE International warned that escalating violence in South Sudan could add to the toll already taken by disease outbreaks in the country. The country is grappling with a worsening cholera outbreak, while famine looms.
Top military commander assassinated, says President Salva Kiir
What you need to know: A top military commander, General Majur Dak, was killed in Nasir, South Sudan, during an evacuation attempt by UNMISS that came under attack, killing a UN crew member and injuring others. President Salva Kiir confirmed the general's death, blamed the escalation on the White Army and appealed for calm, while the UN condemned the attack and called for an investigation.
South Sudan defends detention of Machar allies
South Sudan's government has defended the controversial detention of allies of First Vice President Riek Machar, warning that they were involved in skirmishes in Upper Nile State. Government spokesperson Michael Makuei confirmed the arrests, saying the officials had been detained for "conflict with the law".
South Sudan shuts down social media for three months
South Sudan government on January 23 directed telecom firms to block access to social media sites like Facebook and Tiktok as it reacted to mounting revenge violence in the country. The country's telecommunications regulator, the National Communication Authority (NCA), ordered a social media shutdown for up to three months, effective Wednesday night.
South Sudan shuts down social media for three months
South Sudan government on Wednesday directed telecom firms to block access to social media sites like Facebook and Tiktok as it reacted to mounting revenge violence in the country. The country's telecommunications regulator, the National Communication Authority (NCA), ordered a social media shutdown for up to three months, effective Wednesday night.
South Sudan resumes oil production
The South Sudanese government and key oil firms have announced the resumption of oil production and export. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Petroleum Ministry and oil companies said that operations have started in Blocks 3 and 7 in Upper Nile State after the lifting of a force majeure by Sudan’s government and the Basher Pipeline Company (Bapco). “The reference is made to the kick-off date of operation and production resumption in Dar Petroleum Company (DPOC) Block three and seven.
‘Let’s party today’: Joy as Sudan defies war to qualify for Afcon
A new slogan that says “Let’s celebrate today, and leave tomorrow for tomorrow” has captured the hearts of the Sudanese people, reflecting a poignant lesson learnt amidst the ongoing civil war. This wave of optimism comes after Sudan’s national football team christened ‘the Secretary Birds’ secured a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with a 0-0 draw against Angola in Benghazi, Libya, on November 18 to finish second in Group ‘F’ behind Angola.
Leaders tie peace to ending hunger
Leaders who gathered at the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Thursday rallied a call, linking peace and security to ending chronic hunger in the region. They spoke at the ‘World Without Hunger’ Conference where they used the occasion to also call for collaboration in the use of new technology, capable of producing food in the wake of erratic weather.
South Sudan holdouts agree to resume peace talks in Nairobi
South Sudan’s holdout groups, the non-signatories to the 2018 peace agreement, have agreed to resume peace talks in Nairobi after months of expressing security concerns and dissatisfaction with the process. This development follows Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to Juba on Wednesday, where he held talks with President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar and other key stakeholders in the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).
South Sudan holdouts agree to resume peace talks in Nairobi
South Sudan’s holdout groups, the non-signatories to the 2018 peace agreement, have agreed to resume peace talks in Nairobi after months of expressing security concerns and dissatisfaction with the process. This development follows Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to Juba on Wednesday, where he held talks with President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar and other key stakeholders in the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).
South Sudan's death machine roars on despite relative peace
South Sudan continued to register deaths from violent clashes across the country in spite of relative peace overall which signals the problem of disarmament in Africa’s youngest nation. A quarterly report from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) says that violence across the country between April and June 2024 resulted in the deaths of 442 people, most of whom were women and children.
South Sudan: Military blames rebel group for deadly bus attack
At least one person was killed, seven injured and 14 others kidnapped in an attack on a passenger bus in South Sudan on Tuesday evening. Army spokesman General Lul Ruai Koang said a Ugandan national died in the ambush on the Juba-Nimule highway as the bus was travelling from Juba to Kampala. The attack by unknown gunmen took place between 8 and 9 a.m. in the Jebelen region, a few kilometers from Juba.
South Sudan military blames rebel group for deadly bus attack
At least one person died, seven were wounded and 14 others abducted in an attack on a passenger bus in South Sudan on Tuesday night. Army spokesman Gen Lul Ruai Koang said a Ugandan national died in the ambush on the Juba-Nimule Highway as the bus was travelling from Juba to Kampala. The attack by unknown gunmen happened between 8am and 9am in the Jebelen area, a few kilometres from Juba.
Juba in dilemma as sponsors decry term extension
South Sudan’s transitional government may face a legitimacy question as it starts an extended term of government, the result of failed plans to organise elections initially meant for December this year. The reality check emerged this week as Juba’s development partners, who had offered guarantees to the 2018 peace deal that created the coalition arrangement, indicated they do not support an extension.
South Sudan tests cashless pay to civil servants
South Sudan is encouraging civil servants to take their pay electronically, testing a new move that could also challenge the country’s available infrastructure for a cashless economy. The proposal had been mooted two months ago, but officials this week formally released a circular asking that transactions such as salaries for civil servants and payments into departmental vote heads be done cashless.
South Sudan tests cashless pay to civil servants
South Sudan is encouraging civil servants to take their pay electronically, testing a new move that could also challenge the country’s available infrastructure for a cashless economy. The proposal had been mooted two months ago, but officials this week formally released a circular asking that transactions such as salaries for civil servants and payments into departmental vote heads be done cashless.
Juba, Sudan to resume oil production and export
Juba and Khartoum have agreed to resume oil production and export, signalling cooperation over a key pillar of their economies that had been halted after war erupted in Sudan. The details emerged after bilateral discussions between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Monday. Read: Sudan's conflict: Burhan in Juba for bilateral talks The talks, officials said, centred on the resumption of South Sudan’s oil exports through Sudan.
Sudan's conflict: Burhan in Juba for bilateral talks
Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived in Juba on Monday for high-level bilateral talks, said Ramadan Abdalla Mohammed, South Sudan's Foreign Affairs minister. It is the second such bilateral meeting between the Sudanese leader and Khartoum's immediate neighbours in two months. In July, Burhan hosted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, after which they agreed to pursue issues of concern.
South Sudan postpones planned elections until 2026
South Sudan's parties to the 2018 peace agreement have extended the transition period by a further two years, delaying the country's first anticipated democratic elections, which had been scheduled for December this year. In a meeting at the presidential palace on Friday, the five vice presidents, along with cabinet ministers and advisers, agreed to extend the transition period, pushing elections back to 2026.
South Sudan delays polls to 2026, extends transitional government
South Sudan's parties to the 2018 peace agreement have extended the transitional period by another two years, delaying the country’s first anticipated democratic elections that had been scheduled for this December. In a meeting held this evening at the Presidential Palace, the five vice presidents, along with cabinet members and advisors, agreed to extend the transition period, pushing the elections to 2026.
In South Sudan, floods drown hopes
South Sudan, wracked by civil war for over a decade amid other socioeconomic woes, is once again facing a perennialscourge: floods. When flooding started in 2020, the country was trying to recover from a civil war that had seen hundreds killed and millions displaced, keeping it perpetually on food aid. Now most areas, especially in Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states, are submerged, leaving residents fighting hunger, disease outbreaks and animal attacks. South Sudan is a paradox.
Inter-communal violence leaves 30 dead, 80 wounded in South Sudan
Summary According to a Gun Policy report, the estimated number of guns (both legal and illicit) held by civilians in South Sudan was 1.2 million in 2017 and 3 million in 2013. The Defence Forces of South Sudan is reported to have 351,500 firearms. Advertisement By Garang Malak Juba, Inter-communal violence in South Sudan’s Warrap State has left over 30 people dead and 80 wounded.
South Sudan, Uganda waive visa requirements for their citizens
Summary Uganda earlier said it would no longer have visa requirements for South Sudanese to get into Uganda as long as they have valid passports and meet other health conditions for travellers. Kampala gave South Sudan authorities 30 days to confirm it would reciprocate the gesture, failing which Kampala would reverse its decision.
Uganda: Juba, Uganda Waive Visa Requirements for Their Citizens
Juba — South Sudan and Uganda have agreed to exempt their citizens from visa requirements when travelling to either country, South Sudan's Foreign Affairs Ministry has confirmed. Weeks ago, Rebecca Kadaga, Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for East African Affairs, said Kampala would no longer have visa requirements for South Sudanese to get into Uganda as long as they have valid passports and meet other health conditions for travellers.
South Sudan risks cycle of war as plunder continues despite US, UK sanctions
By AGGREY MUTAMBO By Garang Malak South Sudan’s journey to recovery from conflict may take longer than planned as the country’s elites dodge US sanctions and continue to bleed the national coffers. Now civil society organisations and activists say looting of national monies with no repercussions may create a cycle of war as politicians and other influence peddlers jostle to get into or close to government.
South Sudan flooding leaves at least 20 dead
By Garang A. Malak South Sudan Correspondent Nation Media Group At least twenty people have died in South Sudan’s Warrap State as a result of continuous devastating floods, a senior State official has confirmed. In a mobile phone interview with Nation.Africa on Friday, Victor Wek Gogrial West County Commissioner said those killed were mainly children and women. “These deaths were recorded since the rains started in July. And the biggest cause of those deaths is drowning.
South Sudan: Floods Leave 20 Dead in South Sudan
Juba — At least twenty people have died in South Sudan's Warrap State as a result of continuous devastating floods, a senior State official has confirmed. In a cell-phone interview with The EastAfrican on Friday, Victor Wek Gogrial West County Commissioner said those killed were mainly children and women. "These deaths were recorded since the rains started in July. And the biggest cause of those deaths is drowning. As you all know Gogrial is swampy and it's always worsen by rains.
South Sudan: President Kiir Cancels U.S.$650 Million 'Sovereign Grantee' Deal
Juba — South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit over the weekend asked his Finance and Economic Planning Minister Athian Diing to cancel a Sovereign Guarantee transaction worth $650 million. In a letter addressed to the Finance minister and seen by The EastAfrican, Kiir's Executive Director James Deng told Athian Diing to cancel the grantee deal meant for Amok General Trading with immediate effect.
South Sudan says 40 Afghan refugees in country illegally
Summary In late August, Uganda became the first African country to host Afghan refugees after its foreign affairs ministry confirmed having received 51 evacuees. Uganda said the United States requested it to host "at-risk" Afghans and people of other nationalities who were in transit to America and other nations. It is the largest refugee-hosting nation on the African continent and the fourth in the world, with over 1.5 million refugees.
South Sudan says 40 Afghan refugees in country illegally
By Garang A. Malak South Sudan Correspondent Nation Media Group Juba At least 40 Afghans have entered South Sudan without following the required legal procedures according to the country’s immigration authorities. Addressing sector commanders on Tuesday morning in Juba, Gen Atem Marol, who heads South Sudan’s Immigration, Passports and Civil Registry, said the refugees entered the country illegally.
South Sudan's President Kiir cancels $650 million 'Sovereign Grantee' deal
Summary In a letter addressed to the Finance minister and seen by The EastAfrican, Kiir’s Executive Director James Deng told Athian Diing to cancel the grantee deal meant for Amok General Trading with immediate effect. In September last year, the US government imposed additional economic sanctions on a company owned or controlled by a Sudanese businessman Ashraf Seed Ahmed Al-Cardinal.
Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension, unsolved Horn of Africa’s conflicts
By AGGREY MUTAMBO By MAWAHIB ABDALLATIF By Garang Malak The recent attempted coup in Sudan has exposed the delicate political ground not just in Khartoum but also the Horn of Africa. The neighbourhood is already struggling with a now humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region that threatens to suck in all countries in the region one way or other. But inside Khartoum, the failed coup exposed the widening gulf between the military and civilian components of the transitional government.
East Africa: Attempted Coup Mirrors Building Tension, Unsolved Horn of Africa's Conflicts
The recent attempted coup in Sudan has exposed the delicate political ground not just in Khartoum but also the Horn of Africa. The neighbourhood is already struggling with a now humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region that threatens to suck in all countries in the region one way or other. But inside Khartoum, the failed coup exposed the widening gulf between the military and civilian components of the transitional government.
Kiir ask Sudan’s Hamdok to hold to account coup plotters
Summary The government of South Sudan received unfortunate news on Tuesday morning of a military attempt orchestrated by rogue elements in the Sudanese military against the Transitional Government of Sudan. Sudan is currently ruled by a transitional government composed of both civilian and military representatives that was installed in the aftermath of Bashir's April 2019 overthrow.
South Sudan: Kiir Appoints More MPs, Fulfils Peace Deal for Legislature Composition
Juba — South Sudan's President Salva Kiir at the weekend appointed 28 more MPs selected from the Other Political Parties (OPP), which was left out during the reconstitution of the national legislature months ago. The selection was in response to the provision of the 2018 peace agreement that stipulates for the reconstitution of the national legislature from 400 to 550 lawmakers.
Kiir names more MPs, fulfils provision in 2018 peace deal
Summary The selection was in response to the provision of the 2018 peace agreement that stipulates for the reconstitution of the national legislature from 400 to 550 lawmakers. Among those appointed is MP is current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Peter Mayen, who was recently defrocked from his OPP chairmanship by coalition members.
South Sudan receives 152,000 Covid vaccine doses from US
By Garang A. Malak South Sudan Correspondent Nation Media Group South Sudan on Tuesday received 152,950 Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses from the US, Health Minister Elizabeth Achuei confirmed.
South Sudan: 380,000 People Displaced By Floods and Violence - UN
Juba — At least 380,000 people from six states in South Sudan have been displaced by flash floods and numerous waves of inter-communal clashes, according to the United Nations Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). In a humanitarian snapshot seen by The EastAfrican, UNOCHA says flooding, violence, food insecurity and Covid-19 continued to heighten people's humanitarian needs in August.
Transporters say Northern Corridor is a non-trade barrier
By LUKE ANAMI By KABONA ESIARA By Garang Malak The Northern Corridor, a lifeline of the region, is continuously facing challenges that affect cross border trade, slowing down commerce and causing shocks to economies struggling to recover from effects of the pandemic. South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya are still working through the recent resumption of cargo trucks movement to Juba following weeks of blockade.
East Africa: IGAD Asks President Salva Kiir to Mediate Ethiopia War With TPLF
Juba — The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) has asked South Sudan's President, Salva Kiir, to mediate the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia. Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who is also the regional bloc's head, said he is the right person for job. "The chair of Igad requested President Kiir to go to Ethiopia believing that he is the right person to mediate in the Ethiopian conflict.
Truckers resume cargo transport as Juba commits to provide security
Summary Striking drivers had pitched camp at Elegu, protesting against attacks, kidnappings and looting of their cargo by armed militia on South Sudan highways. The strike led to the cutting off of supplies to South Sudan as Elegu is the major entry point for goods from Kenya’s Mombasa and Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam ports.
Kenyan Truck Drivers Call Off South Sudan Boycott
By Garang A. Malak & Stanley Ngotho Kenyan truck drivers say they will resume cargo transport to South Sudan after a two-week boycott over insecurity on the country's highways. This comes after the South Sudan government, which heavily depends on foreign supplies, assured the truckers of beefed-up security along the Juba-Nimule Highway. It is along this key road that several drivers were recently killed and their trucks torched by unknown gunmen, sparking the boycott.
Kenyan truck drivers call off South Sudan boycott
Tuesday, September 07, 2021 In this file picture, cargo trucks await clearance at the Malaba border. Kenyan truck drivers say they will resume cargo transport to South Sudan. Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group By Garang A. Malak & Stanley Ngotho Kenyan truck drivers say they will resume cargo transport to South Sudan after a two-week boycott over insecurity on the country's highways.
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