By News Staff BOMA | Friday, March 27, 2026

BOMA — The Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism (MWCT), in partnership with African Parks, officially opened the Maruwa Hills Tourist Camp in Boma County on Thursday. The project marks the first phase of a community-centered tourism initiative aimed at leveraging South Sudan’s natural resources for economic development.

The camp is situated within the Great Nile Migration Landscape, home to the world’s largest land mammal migration. Officials stated the pilot project is part of a 10-year partnership signed in 2022 to manage the Boma and Badingilo migratory landscapes across Jonglei, Central Equatoria, and Eastern Equatoria states.

Economic Diversification

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Minister of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism Denay Jock Chagor called the opening a historic milestone.

“This is a place that will welcome visitors from across the nation and around the world,” Minister Chagor said. “What was once a question from the community—’What will we gain from this?’—is now being answered. Jobs are being created, incomes are growing, and opportunities are emerging for families.”

GPAA Chief Administrator Gola Boyoi Gola emphasized that the project demonstrates the potential of moving the national economy beyond its reliance on oil. “We must begin to think beyond oil and explore other sectors like tourism, which can bring sustainable opportunities to our people,” Gola stated.

Community-Led Conservation

The project was developed in close coordination with the local Maruwa community. Jan Fourie, Park Manager for Boma National Park, credited local residents as the “real team” behind the achievement.

“This project was not built from the top down,” Fourie said. “The opportunity may have been created through African Parks and our partners, but it is the community that took it forward with their own strength, commitment, and determination.”

Security and Responsibility

As the site prepares to welcome international visitors, officials stressed the importance of local stewardship. Minister Chagor urged the community to prioritize peace and security, noting that the camp now serves as a representative of South Sudan to the global community.

GPAA leadership reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe environment for tourists to ensure the long-term success of the initiative.

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 — The Transitional National Legislature (TNL) took a major step toward fiscal finalization on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, passing the SSP 7 Trillion Draft National Budget and Finance Bill 2025–2026 to its third reading stage.

The budget, presented by Rev. Michael Ayuen Johnson, Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and Planning, comes at a time of extreme economic volatility and heightened political pressure as the country prepares for the December 2026 elections.

Budget Highlights and Key Recommendations

Despite the massive size of the budget—the largest in South Sudan’s history—the Finance Committee recommended strict limits on new spending to ensure institutional stability. Deferred Funding: The committee recommended deferring several massive funding requests to the 2026–2027 cycle, most notably a $560 million request from the security sector.

 Agricultural Revolution: In a direct nod to recent presidential directives, the House urged the government to allocate 10% of the national budget to agriculture. This includes a push for feasibility studies for major new schemes in Maban and Rejaf.

Oil Revenue Transparency: Lawmakers demanded full compliance with the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 2013, insisting that all oil revenues be deposited directly at the Bank of South Sudan and that environmental audit reports for oil-producing areas be released immediately.

Lawmakers Target Salary Delays

The debate was dominated by the “human cost” of the current economic crisis. Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed deep frustration over the persistent non-payment of salaries for civil servants and organized forces.

Late Submission: Lawmakers criticized the Ministry of Finance for tabling the budget while the fiscal year was already well underway, a delay that has contributed to the administrative paralysis currently affecting government services.

Tax Reform: The committee called for an immediate end to “unnecessary tax exemptions,” which are seen as a major leak in non-oil revenue collection.

The “Abiemnom Factor” and National Security

The budget advancement occurs against a backdrop of severe national mourning. Just hours before the session, Catholic and Anglican bishops issued a joint demand for justice following the Abiemnom massacre (169 killed) and ongoing atrocities in Jonglei. Lawmakers warned that without the “timely transfer” of revenue shares to states and communities, local grievances would continue to fuel such inter-communal violence.