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NEWSUPDATES | INTREPID South Sudan calls for urgent reopening of Jonglei State Legislative Assembly

Civil society organization INTREPID South Sudan has called for the urgent reopening of the Jonglei State Transitional Legislative Assembly, warning that its prolonged recess has weakened legislative oversight, accountability and representation of citizens.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the organization described the state assembly as a key institution responsible for making laws, representing citizens and providing oversight over other arms of government.

Bol Deng Bol the executive director of INTREPID South Sudan said the assembly has remained in recess since 2024, despite the recent appointment of a Speaker, and urged authorities to take immediate steps to restore its operations.

He warned that the prolonged absence of legislative scrutiny has contributed to growing governance challenges and has further affected the people of Jonglei State.

According to the statement, Bo said the executive arm of the state government is operating without adequate legislative oversight, including scrutiny of public revenue collection and expenditure.

He further added that the government continues to collect and spend public revenues without an approved budget, a situation it warned could create opportunities for corruption and weaken public accountability.

INTREPID South Sudan also expressed concern over what it described as the continued undermining of the rule of law, saying the lack of an effective legislature has weakened checks and balances within the state government.

The civil society organization further linked the prolonged legislative inactivity to the wider security and humanitarian challenges facing Jonglei.

He said intra-communal and inter-communal conflicts have overwhelmed the state’s capacity to respond effectively, while the humanitarian crisis has deepened, particularly in northern parts of the state.

The group also raised concerns over the deterioration of civic space, calling for stronger and functioning institutions that can represent citizens and hold government authorities accountable.

INTREPID South Sudan is calling on the leadership of the Council of States to lobby the state government to end what it described as an “abnormal recess” and facilitate the reopening of the Jonglei State Transitional Legislative Assembly.

The organization also appealed to the Council of States to engage fully with relevant authorities to address the issue.

It argues that reopening the assembly would restore an important mechanism for checks and balances, allowing lawmakers to scrutinize government activities, debate legislation and raise issues affecting communities across Jonglei.

The call comes as Jonglei State continues to face significant governance, security and humanitarian challenges, making effective state institutions crucial for public accountability and service delivery.

INTREPID South Sudan urged the authorities to act urgently, saying the continued absence of the legislative assembly is detrimental to democratic governance and the interests of the people of Jonglei.

Photo: Bol Deng Deng, the executive director of INTREPID South Sudan. INTREPID-South Sudan

News updates | BOR_August 18, 2026: Civil society organization INTREPID South Sudan has called for the urgent reopening of the Jonglei State Transitional Legislative Assembly, warning that its prolonged recess has weakened legislative oversight and contributed to growing governance and humanitarian challenges across the state.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the organization said the assembly has remained in recess since 2024 despite the recent appointment of a Speaker, leaving the executive arm of the state government operating without effective legislative scrutiny.

INTREPID South Sudan said the absence of the legislature has raised concerns over public revenue collection and expenditure, accountability, the rule of law, and the government’s ability to respond effectively to ongoing inter- and intra-communal conflicts and the worsening humanitarian situation, particularly in northern Jonglei.

The organization is calling on the Council of State to engage the state government and push for an end to what it described as an “abnormal recess,” urging authorities to restore the functioning of the legislature and strengthen accountability and representation in Jonglei State.

Jonglei civil society network proposes new plan to end Duk–Twic East conflict

The Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN) has presented a new proposal to the Governor of Jonglei State aimed at ending the prolonged conflict between the Hol community of Duk County and the Ayual community of Twic East County, a dispute that has persisted since October 2023 and reportedly claimed around 200 lives.

In a document submitted to Governor Dr. Riek G*i Kok on June 15, JCSN outlined what it described as an “amicable approach” to resolving the conflict, combining enhanced security measures with an inclusive mediation process involving government officials, traditional leaders, and faith-based groups.

According to the proposal, the conflict began as a dispute between individual fish traders from Hol in Duk County and Ayual in Twic East County. However, it later expanded to involve other communities, including Adhiok, Abeh, and Kongor in Twic East County, while also affecting traders from Ayod and Bor counties.

Bol Deng Bol chairperson of Jonglei Civil Society Network said previous efforts by the government and traditional leaders, including the deployment of security forces and the organization of peace rallies, have failed to achieve a lasting resolution.

“The conflict has drastically metamorphosed and created a breeding ground for harmful activities, while disrupting fishing activities and the livelihoods of local communities,” said Bol.

Two-Pronged Strategy

The civil society umbrella body proposed a two-track approach to be implemented simultaneously.

The first component calls for the immediate deployment of sufficient security forces to Biothagany, a border area between Duk and Twic East counties that has become a flashpoint in the conflict.

Security forces would be tasked with deterring violence and ordering armed groups to vacate occupied areas.

Under the proposal, security personnel would remain in the area until meaningful dialogue between the parties succeeds.

The second component focuses on the establishment of a neutral mediation committee tasked with engaging the conflicting parties in dialogue.

JCSN argues that previous mediation attempts struggled due to disagreements over the choice of mediators and a lack of consensus among stakeholders.

The organization believes a neutral mediation mechanism, accepted by all sides, could create conditions for sustainable peace.

The Chairperson recommended that the mediation committee be chaired by Jonglei State Deputy Governor Wilson Awol Gajang, with the Minister of Peacebuilding, Alier Panchol, serving as deputy chairperson.

The proposed membership would also include paramount chiefs and deputy paramount chiefs from Duk and Twic East counties, as well as representatives of faith-based organizations.

According to Bol, the mediation committee should be formed immediately and begin consultations with all parties to establish modalities for dialogue.

Bol said the ultimate objective of the proposal is to urgently end the ongoing violence, save lives, and create conditions for sustainable dialogue and peaceful coexistence between the communities of Duk and Twic East and their neighbors.

He emphasized that security interventions and dialogue should run concurrently rather than sequentially, arguing that previous approaches have not produced lasting results.

“We believe that when these mechanisms run at the same time and are adequately supported, they can achieve the objective of ending the community feud, saving lives and livelihoods,” said Bol.

The latest initiative comes amid growing concerns over recurring intercommunal violence in Jonglei State, which has continued to undermine peace, economic activity, and social cohesion in several parts of the region.

UPDATES | Court proceedings were recently temporarily suspended when Ugandan murder suspect Christopher Okello Onyum suddenly began laughing in the courtroom. Onyum is accused of brutally stabbing and murdering four children at the Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre.

His defense attorney, Sarah Awero, requested a 30-minute recess. Okello burst into laughter moments after the court declined to admit a mobile money transaction statement as evidence, with no clear indication of what prompted his reaction.

Woman jailed 6 months for cancelling promise to marry man who paid her educations

A law enforcement officer attached to Rubanda Town Council has been sent to prison by the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Rukungiri District for failing to compensate a man more than 14 million shillings following a breach of a marriage promise.

Fortunate Kyarikunda, a resident of Kiringa Parish in Kambuga Sub-county, Kanungu District, was ordered by the court to pay Richard Tumwiine Sh14,099,100.

Tumwiine, a primary school teacher and resident of Kagoongo–Nyakagyezi Village in Nyarutojo Parish in Kambuga Sub-county, filed the case after spending money on Kyarikunda while she was studying, with the expectation that they would later marry.

In January 2023, the Kanungu Grade One Magistrate’s Court ordered Kyarikunda to compensate Tumwiine Sh9,439,100 for the money he spent on her during her studies. The court also awarded Sh1,000,000 as general damages for the inconvenience and psychological distress suffered by Tumwiine.

Kyarikunda lost the case after failing to file a defence or appear before the court. The total amount later rose to Sh14,099,100.

After failing to pay the compensation as ordered, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Rukungiri ordered that she be committed to prison.

Courtesy|The Independent

Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol breaks the silence on the incident sparks online

His post reads:

𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧.

First and foremost, I would like to assure my family, friends, colleagues, and the citizens of our country that I am physically and mentally well. I have not been subjected to any harm or torture. I am in stable condition, except for a slight ankle injury resulting from a dislocation sustained during yesterday’s commotion.
I am currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital, the name of which I have chosen not to disclose for security reasons.

There have been circulating reports suggesting that I was attempting to escape the country due to alleged corruption-related charges, and that I was apprehended as part of a broader list of officials targeted for arrest. I categorically state that I have not been served with any warrant of arrest, and to the best of my knowledge, my name is not among any list of individuals wanted by the authorities.

My presence in Nimule was not an attempt to flee. It was a normal and lawful trip. I had sought and obtained permission to travel for medical treatment in Uganda. While en route, I intended to conduct a brief business survey in Nimule before proceeding across the border for treatment.

As is customary at the point of entry into Uganda, a physical inspection was conducted. During this process, officers found that I was carrying a sum of money, which they proceeded to confiscate. I requested clarification for such action, unfortunately, this led to a misunderstanding and a tense exchange. In the confusion that followed, I left the scene, during which I sustained the ankle dislocation.

I want to reiterate that I am currently under medical care and focusing on recovery. Once I am fully stabilized and fit to move comfortably, I will return to my residence.

For those seeking further clarification, my wife, Asunta, who visited me today, is aware of the circumstances and may be contacted directly. Kindly note that my phones were lost during yesterday’s incident, and I am presently unreachable via direct calls or WhatsApp.

I remain committed to transparency and to upholding my dignity and the rule of law. I thank all those who have expressed concern and solidarity during this time.

Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol
Former Minister of Finance and Planning
Juba, South Sudan

S*X SPORT INTRODUCED IN SWEDEN

As unbelievable as it may seem, Sweden has declared s*x an official sport and has even launched the first competition evaluated by a panel of judges.

The couple’s chemistry, their understanding of s*x, their level of endurance, and other vital characteristics will be taken into account when deciding who comes out the winner of a s*x tournament that will have its own audience.

The Swedish S*x Federation had been trying for some time to establish this new sport, so they were very pleased with the achievement and welcomed this championship:

🗣 “Like any sport, getting the results you want in s*x requires training.”

SOURCE;THE CRACKS

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President Salva Kiir has relieved Josephine Joseph Lagu as Vice President and Chair of the Service Cluster.

Former Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Hussein Abdelbagi Akol was appointed in her place.

The changes were announced on SSBC this evening.

#𝙽𝚎𝚠𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚜 | Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed in a village southwest of Tripoli, officials say.

The 53-year-old, once seen as a pro-Western reformer but later implicated in 2011’s crackdown on protests, died from gunshot wounds.

Libyan authorities are investigating, while his death raises fears of tensions among pro-Gaddafi factions.

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