Law without order: 70% of police force not trained – Spokesperson

Thousands of police officers parade at their graduation ceremony following a four-month refresher training in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State. The National Police Spokesperson has admitted that more than 70 percent of the police force lacks professional training in basic policing, making the maintenance of order and service delivery difficult.

(EYE Radio, May 22, 2025)

A taskforce to strengthen electoral security and ensure inclusive voting is launched in Yambio

Despite repeated delays to the holding of South Sudan’s first democratic elections, efforts to prepare the country for this historic opportunity continue. In Yambio, a four-day workshop to strengthen electoral security, with a particular focus on preventing violence against women in this context, has resulted in the establishment of a taskforce to implement training across all 10 counties of Western Equatoria.

(UNMISS, May 21, 2025)

South Sudan’s President Kiir promotes sanctioned ally as ruling party deputy

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has reshuffled the senior leadership in the ruling party, according to an official decree, as the country faces fresh fighting between rival armed factions and widespread speculation about Kiir’s succession plans. Kiir, 73, promoted sanctioned ally Second Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel as his SPLM party’s deputy chairperson, according to a decree read on the state broadcaster on Tuesday night, weeks after the United Nations said the country was on the brink of civil war.

(REUTERS, May 21, 2025)

Army barrel bombs spark exodus as South Sudan peace deal crumbles

“If things don’t improve, I’ll leave for Ethiopia and become a refugee there.” Civilians escaping government airstrikes and land offensives in South Sudan are taking refuge in makeshift shelters along rivers and crossing into camps in Ethiopia, as analysts warn that a long flawed peace deal has now totally collapsed.

(The New Humanitarian, May 21, 2025)

2 Killed, vehicle torched in Tombura Road ambush in W. Equatoria

At least two people were killed and a truck was set ablaze during a deadly ambush on Tuesday night at the Nambara Bridge construction site along the Yangiri–Mupoi Road in Western Equatoria State, authorities confirmed. Maj. Gen. Phillip Madut Tong, the state police commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj that the attack occurred at River Biki near Yangiri Town on the Tombura Road.

(Radio Tamazuj, May 21, 2025)