JUBA — The Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) launched a city-wide load-shedding program today, effective March 25 at 5:00 PM. The utility provider cited the ongoing Iran-US conflict and its direct impact on global energy supply chains as the primary reason for the rationing.
In a public notice, JEDCO stated it must proactively manage energy reserves to maintain long-term grid stability and ensure the operation of essential services. The company confirmed that power interruptions will occur on a rotational basis across different city sectors.
Economic Impact on Juba Traders
The sudden implementation of rationing has sparked immediate concern among small business owners who lack alternative power sources.
At Konyo Konyo Market, Ahmed, a local bookshop owner, told The South Sudan Times that the move threatens his daily operations. “This decision will impact my business,” Ahmed stated. He noted the difficulty of running a modern shop without a consistent grid.
For those dealing in perishable goods, the outlook is even more severe. Mary, who operates a juice shop in the city, said her livelihood is at stake. “My juice shop will definitely close down because I only rely on JEDCO power supply,” she stated.
Safety and Scheduling
JEDCO management advises all customers to unplug sensitive electronic equipment during “off” periods. This prevents electrical damage during power restoration.
The company expects to publish a detailed “Power Allocation Schedule” shortly via its official channels. JEDCO noted they are working with stakeholders to mitigate the impact of these geopolitical challenges. They thanked the public for their resilience.
Gov. Dr. Riek Gai Kok arrival in Akobo County Jonglei State
AKOBO/JUBA — In a highly publicized move to project stability in newly secured territory, Jonglei State Governor H.E. Riek Gai Kok has arrived in Akobo County. State communications are framing the gubernatorial visit as a mission centered on “peace, stability, and reconciliation” among local communities.
The governor’s arrival marks the highest-level civilian political intervention in Akobo. This marks the first intervention since the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) captured the town earlier this month.
Planting the Party Flag
Governor Riek Gai Kok was received by a coalition of local administrators. This included the Akobo County Commissioner, traditional chiefs, community elders, and notably, senior military officers.
A central goal of the governor’s visit is the official inauguration of the Akobo County headquarters. Additionally, it includes the formal opening of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) local office.
Political Consolidation: Opening the SPLM office occurs promptly after a military offensive. This action serves as a clear signal of political consolidation. It changes the state’s presence in Akobo from an active military operation. The change moves it to established, party-led civilian governance. This transition occurs ahead of the 2026 electoral timeline.
The “Peace” Narrative: The rhetoric of reconciliation is being heavily used to stabilize a civilian population. This population recently saw severe conflict and mass displacement into neighboring counties.
The Militarized Reality of “Restoration”
While the governor focuses on administrative unity, the backdrop of his visit remains deeply militarized. SSPDF officers in his welcoming committee highlight the military influence. This presence underscores that the current “peace” in Akobo is maintained by a heavy, newly established military apparatus.
The state government is pushing to strengthen governance in Akobo. At the same time, the SSPDF is demanding humanitarian NGOs return to the area.
H.E. Jacob Dollar, the Governor of Upper Nile State in Nasir County.
NASIR/JUBA — Upper Nile State Governor H.E. Jacob Dollar Ruot conducted an official inspection tour on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. He oversaw the critical rehabilitation of civilian water infrastructure across Nasir County.
The state-led initiative aims to restore approximately ten boreholes. This plan is designed to quickly address severe water shortages. It also aims to stabilize public health conditions for the local population.
The Strategic Priority of Water
During the field inspection, Governor Ruot framed the restoration of these water points as a core developmental mandate. This is a primary focus for his administration.
Public Health Mandate: The Governor emphasized that sustainable water infrastructure is the frontline defense against waterborne diseases. He stated the government’s absolute commitment to ensuring clean water remains accessible to all citizens.
Local Coordination: Ruot was accompanied on the tour by Nasir County Commissioner Hon. Changkuoth Ruon Jal. The Commissioner publicly commended the state-level intervention, highlighting the immediate and positive impact the operational boreholes will have on the daily livelihoods of the Nasir community.
Broader State Goals: Official communications from the Upper Nile State government reiterated important priorities. Infrastructure development and humanitarian support are the administration’s top priorities. These efforts aim to uplift marginalized communities.
JUBA — The organizing committee and the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) have officially released the itinerary for the final rites and burial. The late Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth Jangdit, who is highly revered, will be laid to rest in Jonglei State early next month.
The schedule outlines a multi-day period of mourning. This allows congregations, state officials, and citizens across Nairobi, Juba, and Bor to pay their final respects to the monumental spiritual leader.
The Official Itinerary
The coordinated procession to bring the late bishop to his final resting place spans four days:
Saturday, March 28, 2026:Prayers in Nairobi. A dedicated prayer service will be held in Nairobi, Kenya. This will allow the South Sudanese diaspora to gather in mourning. Those who accompanied him during his final days will also participate.
Monday, March 30, 2026:Arrival in the Capital. The body of the late bishop will be officially repatriated, arriving at Juba International Airport, where it is expected to be received by high-ranking clergy and state dignitaries.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026:Journey to Jonglei. The body will leave Juba and be transported to Bor, the capital of Jonglei State and the historic seat of his diocese.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026:Final Rites and Burial. The official viewing of the body and final prayer services will take place in Bor, followed immediately by his burial. Thousands of mourners from across the Greater Bor region and beyond are expected to attend.
A Legacy of Spiritual Resilience
Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth Jangdit leaves behind a legacy that transcends the church. He served as a foundational pillar of spiritual strength. He provided moral guidance during the darkest days of the liberation struggle. He offered hope to the displaced populations and the “Red Army” across the region. His passing marks the end of an era for the ECSS. The communities of Jonglei State saw him as a symbol of unwavering faith and resilience.
Late Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth Jangdit was born around 1940 in Werkok Village (Makuach Payam, Bor County). He passed away on February 24, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya. He was approximately 86 years old. The Episcopal Church of South Sudan did not explicitly name a specific cause of death in their official announcement. The highly respected retired bishop passed away after a general period of declining health. He had been earlier airlifted to Nairobi for severe medical treatment in recent years.
JUBA — In a consolidated move to foster community cohesion through athletics, the unified sports leadership of the Twic Mayardit community has officially appointed Mr. Lang Madhel Lang as the chairman of the highly anticipated Twic Mayardit Peace Tournament – Juba.
The appointment, ratified in a formal directive dated March 21, 2026, places Lang at the helm of one of the most prominent community-level sporting initiatives in the capital for a two-year term.
A Unified Mandate Across Six Payams
The official appointment letter was jointly issued and signed by the sports presidents of all six Twic Mayardit Payams, demonstrating a rare and highly coordinated front for youth engagement. The signatories include:
Mr. Angelo Longar Magokdit (Akoc Payam)
Mr. Makat Ater Makuac (Turalei Payam)
Mr. Chan Zachariah Angui (Aweng Payam)
Mr. Apiir Ater Ayuel (Pan-Nyok Payam)
Mr. Bahr Gai Deng (Wunrok Payam)
Mr. Charles Chol Mel (Ajak Kuac Payam)
Under this mandate, Mr. Lang is explicitly tasked with the end-to-end organization and coordination of the tournament. He is required to report directly to the joint assembly of the six Payam Sports presidents on all matters concerning the event’s execution.
Sports as a Vehicle for Peacebuilding
While on the surface this is an administrative sports appointment, the broader socio-political context of a “Peace Tournament” in Juba is significant. Such tournaments are vital platforms. They unify urban youth and mitigate inter-communal friction. They foster a shared cultural identity away from their home counties.
Notably, the appointment letter was officially copied to the Twic Mayardit Youth Association, the broader community leadership in Juba, and specifically to “All Security Operatives.” This inclusion highlights the massive logistical and crowd-control requirements expected for the tournament, signaling that the organizers anticipate large-scale attendance and are proactively coordinating with Juba’s state security apparatus to ensure a safe environment.
Justice Michael Makuei Lueth (MP), the National Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs RSS
JUBA — The minister of justice and constitutional affairs, Hon. Justice Michael Makuei Lueth, has officially refused to review a legal petition filed on behalf of Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, citing the use of “disrespectful, impolite, and uncouth language” and condemning the legal team for leaking the document to social media.
The standoff leaves Dr. Bol Mel—a highly prominent political and business figure (Note: correcting your draft here, as he is a Senior Presidential Envoy and businessman, not a former Vice President)—in continued legal limbo as he reportedly remains under house arrest without being formally arraigned in court.
The Ministry’s Ultimatum
The official pushback was delivered in a formal letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed directly to Adv. Kiir Chol Deng of Kiirdit & Co. Advocates, the law firm representing Dr. Bol Mel.
In the letter, Minister Makuei acknowledged receipt of the March 6 criminal motion but outright declined to consider the client’s case based on two primary grievances:
“Disrespectful” Tone: The Minister took deep offense to the wording of the petition. He specifically quoted the phrase “that this honorable Minister advises…” as an example of language that is “unbecoming and not acceptable in all standards.”
Trial by Social Media: Makuei sharply criticized the legal team for allowing the petition to circulate online on the exact same day it was submitted. He argued that by turning the petition into an “issue for public discussion and judgment,” the matter is “no longer in the hands of the Ministry”.
Demanding Accountability
Before any legal proceedings regarding Dr. Bol Mel’s detention can resume at the Ministry level, Minister Makuei has issued a strict ultimatum.
The case will not be considered until Kiirdit & Co. Advocates submit a formal, written explanation and apology regarding both the “impolite and inappropriate” tone of the petition and a clear accounting of exactly how—and by whom—the March 6 document was leaked to the media.
It currently remains unclear whether Adv. Kiir Chol will comply with the Minister’s demands to secure a hearing for his client.
Again, this fact is clear. They needed my voice when they sought political impact and factual oratory. They needed it when they were desperately looking for local and international attention. Now that I have spoken my truth regarding the issues facing my country, they desire my silence. This reveals everything you need to know about their true nature and confirms any suspicions you may have had about what this so-called opposition is genuinely based on.
Truth be told, I did not reach my current political standing from a comfortable apartment in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Toronto, Ottawa, Berlin, Oslo, Rome, or London. I have paid dearly for it, and I continue to do so, enduring a painful exile just a short distance from our beloved motherland. As a founding member of the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) and later the leader of my splinter faction, the South Sudan United Front-Progressive (SSUF-P), I openly disagreed with figures like Gen. Paul Malong Awan and Pagan Amum Okiech at a time when such dissent came with significant consequences. They do not have a national agenda other than their own political rebranding. I told them without remorse.
For this reason, these individuals and their associates actively sought to prevent my participation in the establishment of the National Consensus Forum. During the peace talks, they worked tirelessly to eliminate me, Laraka Machar Turoal, Peter Gatkuoth, Joseph Madak, and other young leaders without any regard for our contributions. They demanded that we either align ourselves with their factions and serve their interests or be excluded from the peace negotiations altogether. The TUMAINI Initiative finally collapsed, in part, due to their exclusionary arrogance and ambition.
The pattern was always unmistakably the same: they would use the young and then discard them, doing so repeatedly. I was deemed useful when they required a thinker, an effective communicator, a digital warrior, and a principled voice to challenge the government. However, the moment power-sharing became part of the discussion, I was considered an inconvenience. That reflects their mindset.
What they must know is this: my opinion counts. I am part of nation-building even outside government, perhaps more so precisely because I have never been inside it. I have never stolen from this country. I have never held an office, received a government salary, or approved a budget that disappeared into private accounts. My hands are clean in a political environment where integrity is a rare and remarkable quality. This independence is not a liability for me; I believe it is the only currency in South Sudanese politics that cannot be fabricated or bought.
Let me correctly name for you what is happening. Many of those who are currently insulting me do so out of pure hatred or are hired by economic fugitives, those individuals who looted South Sudan’s public wealth, fled before facing accountability, and now live comfortably in foreign capitals while lecturing the rest of us about patriotism. Others, tainted by the blood of innocent citizens, are seeking political rehabilitation through opposition movements that serve as vehicles for their own recycling, with the hope of returning to the same table and feast. They recruit young people for their digital energy and sacrifice, then push those young people aside the moment negotiations begin, showing that they are more interested in their own power and influence than in the well-being of the nation. South Sudan is not their cause. It is their hunting ground.
Likewise, there is a particular arrogance that grows in diaspora. Some people who left the country and acquired citizenship elsewhere now believe that distance has given them clarity. It has not. It has given them safety. Safety to make noise, including defamation without consequences, to diagnose leaders from videos, and to demand regime change from their comfort in neighborhoods where their own children are warm, and their own futures are secured. Nobody is against the diaspora. But holding a foreign passport is not a license to destroy the home you left behind, and calling yourself more patriotic than those who remained in hardship, fighting for liberty, is an insult that should not go unanswered.
As honest citizens, we can all affirm that President Salva Kiir Mayardit, if he has failed, did not fail on his own. The very men whose agents are now diagnosing him from abroad have failed him. They built a culture of impunity, which allowed corruption and violence to flourish without accountability. They looted the resources. They ignited the war and fled its consequences, leaving ordinary citizens to bleed while they rebranded themselves as liberators.
The underdevelopment of South Sudan is their crime as much as anyone’s, and they have never once stood in a courtroom to answer for it. I will not join their chorus. President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr. John Garang de Mabior are the backbone of our history, and I will stand with that history, openly and without shame.
Ask me whether I was bought. I will tell you plainly: President Salva Kiir Mayardit bought me with his sweat through a liberation that gave me, my family, and every South Sudanese the country we call home today. He has never paid me a single pound. I owe him nothing except the truth, and the truth is that you, his loudest critics, are not a viable alternative. You serve as a cautionary tale of what South Sudan must never become again.
Till then, yours truly, Mr. Teetotaler!
The writer, Dr. Sunday de John, holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, respectively. He is the current Chairman of the South Sudan United Front-Progressive and can be reached via drsundayalong4@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The viewpoints and arguments expressed in opinion columns are strictly those of the independent contributors. The South Sudan Times neither endorses nor rejects these views. We do not assume liability for the evidentiary accuracy of the author’s claims.
Fires broke out at Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery after it was hit by Iranian drone attacks [AP Photo]
KUWAIT CITY/JUBA — Global energy markets are bracing for severe volatility. Reports indicate that a major Kuwaiti oil refinery has been struck for the second time. Iran is expanding its targeted military campaign against critical Gulf energy infrastructure.
The latest attack was reported early Friday. It marks a dangerous escalation in the region’s rapidly deteriorating security environment. This threatens to severely disrupt global supply chains.
The Strategy of Energy Disruption
The repeated strikes on Kuwaiti soil show Tehran’s deliberate tactical shift. They are moving beyond localized skirmishes. These actions directly threaten the economic lifelines of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.
The Target: Striking refined petroleum facilities creates immediate bottlenecks in global fuel supplies. This approach targets refined facilities rather than just crude extraction sites. The goal is to maximize economic pressure on international markets.
Regional Overspill: The attack demonstrates Iran’s military apparatus is willing to take risks. It is now under the consolidated command of newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. They risk drawing neighboring Gulf states deeper into the conflict.
Global Market Shock: Analysts project an immediate spike in Brent Crude prices. Maritime insurers are reassessing the viability of transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Global shipping conglomerates are also evaluating this.
The Ripple Effect on South Sudan
While the conflict is geographically distant, the economic shockwaves present an immediate threat to South Sudan’s fragile transitional economy.
The Import Paradox: Although Juba is a crude oil exporter, it remains entirely dependent on importing refined fuel. This includes petrol and diesel. These fuels are needed to power its national grid, logistics, and humanitarian operations.
Inflationary Pressures: Any sustained spike in global refined fuel prices due to Gulf shortages will immediately translate into hyperinflation in Juba’s local markets. This will drastically increase the cost of basic commodities. Meanwhile, the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) attempts to extract 160 billion SSP monthly from the domestic sector.
Diplomatic Stance: This strike directly validates the concerns recently raised by South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry explicitly condemned earlier Iranian disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. These disruptions have an outsize impact on East African economies.
Inayatullah Laghari, in black, with another farmer in Baid Sharif village, Dadu district, Sindh, Pakistan [Al Jazeera]
By Pernia Mubashir
ISLAMABAD/BERLIN — In a groundbreaking legal maneuver, a coalition of Pakistani farmers aims to reshape global climate accountability. They have formally launched a lawsuit against two major German corporate entities. Their historical greenhouse gas emissions, allegedly, directly contributed to the catastrophic climate-induced floods that devastated Pakistan in 2022.
The lawsuit was filed in the German legal system. It marks a significant escalation in the global “climate justice” movement. The battle for “loss and damage” compensation is moving out of international diplomatic summits. It is now directly entering European courtrooms.
The Legal Argument: Corporate Climate Liability
The plaintiffs, representing agricultural communities whose livelihoods were destroyed, are utilizing advanced “climate attribution science” to build their case.
The Core Claim: The legal team argues that these specific German multinational corporations are historically among Europe’s highest industrial emitters. They bear a quantifiable, proportional responsibility for the extreme weather patterns. These patterns triggered the 2022 monsoon disaster.
Seeking Restitution: The farmers are not just seeking symbolic victories. They are demanding direct financial compensation for the loss of their lands, livestock, and homes. They argue that the Global North’s industrial wealth was built at the direct environmental expense of the Global South.
The 2022 Context: The floods in question submerged an estimated one-third of Pakistan. They displaced tens of millions of people and decimated the agricultural sector. The damages were estimated to exceed $30 billion.
A Precedent-Setting Global Test Case
Legal and environmental analysts are watching this case closely. Until recently, climate litigation primarily focused on forcing governments to lower future emissions. This lawsuit represents the “second wave” of climate litigation: forcing private corporations to pay for historical damage.
If the German courts rule in favor of the Pakistani farmers—or even allow the case to proceed to discovery—it would establish a massive legal precedent. It could open the floodgates for vulnerable communities across Africa, Asia, and South America. These communities might sue specific Western corporations for damages related to droughts. They could also address rising sea levels and extreme flooding.
JUBA — The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has drastically escalated its non-oil revenue collection mandates. The Commissioner General has set a target of 160 billion South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) per month. This target is for the final four months of the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
The ambitious fiscal directive, announced this week, signals a highly aggressive push by the national government. It aims to offset continuing shortfalls in oil exports. This will be achieved by maximizing domestic taxation and customs duties before the current fiscal year closes.
The Math and the Mandate
If the SSRA successfully meets this newly established monthly benchmark, the Authority will extract an additional 640 billion SSP from the domestic economy. This extraction will occur between March and June 2026.
Intensified Compliance: Achieving a monthly baseline of 160 billion SSP will require the SSRA to strictly enforce compliance across all non-oil sectors. This demands utmost efficiency in corporate taxes, personal income taxes, and border customs.
Institutional Pressure: The directive places immediate, heavy pressure on state-level revenue branches. It stresses major border posts, like Nimule, to close financial leakages. They must guarantee all collected funds are remitted directly to the national single treasury account without delay.
Friction with the Private Sector
This revenue announcement arrives at a highly volatile moment for the South Sudanese commercial sector. The ambitious target directly intersects with the ongoing institutional friction about exactly how these taxes are being collected.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry clashed with the executive Economic Cluster just last week. They had disagreements over the operational failures of the Crawford Capital digital payment system. This system is a digitized gateway explicitly designed to boost the SSRA’s revenue streams.
Extracting 160 billion SSP monthly from a private sector already battered by hyperinflation. Currency depreciation and fragile digital infrastructure will raise concerns among local traders. The Chamber of Commerce has long complained about multiple and overlapping taxation.
