#Jubatimenews: South Sudan rejected U.S. criticism of its political leadership on Monday and renewed calls for the lifting of U.N. sanctions and an arms embargo, saying the measures undermine efforts to implement the 2018 peace deal and strengthen state institutions.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said remarks by U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs Jennifer Locetta following the renewal of U.N. sanctions did not accurately reflect the situation in the country.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Agok Anyar said South Sudan valued its longstanding relationship with the United States, which supported the country’s independence and post-independence development, but disagreed with what it described as U.S. characterisations of President Salva Kiir’s leadership. #Juba, #news

Global health authorities are racing to identify medical options to help contain an #Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the #virus.

JUST IN: At least four people have been injured after a building collapsed in the #Durban CBD on Saturday. #DurbanCBDBuildingCollapse

#News : Suspended minister Kang tells court charges lack evidence. South Sudan’s suspended petroleum minister, Puot Kang Chuol, the first accused on trial, told the special court in Juba on Monday that the charges against him and his co-accused lack sufficient evidence. Responding to the prosecution during the 73rd session at Freedom Hall, Kang said prosecutors had failed to present “cogent, credible and legally sufficient evidence” to sustain the case. “Over this extended period, the prosecution has taken considerable time to present its case, yet it has ultimately failed to produce cogent, credible and legally sufficient evidence capable of sustaining the charges against me and my colleagues before this honourable court,” Kang said. He added that the prosecution had not presented material or digital evidence strong enough to justify the charges. “Despite the length of these proceedings, the evidentiary record remains fundamentally insufficient and the allegations advanced have not matured into proof meeting the required legal standard,” he said. Kang outlined his position on the 2018 revitalised peace agreement (R-ARCSS), his role in its implementation, and the Nasir incident of March 3–4, 2025.
#jubatimenews

#News : South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed Upper Nile State Governor Jacob Dollar Ruot and reappointed General James Koang Chuol, according to a decree announced late on Monday.
The changes were read on state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). Kiir did not give reasons for the decision.
Dollar Ruot was appointed in October 2025, replacing Koang, who was then reassigned as deputy minister of defence and veterans affairs, a position he held until his reappointment as governor.
Both Dollar and Koang are from Nasir County in Upper Nile State, which saw deadly clashes in March 2025 between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), the SPLA-IO and allied White Army forces. Opposition leader Riek Machar was later detained and taken to court over his alleged role in the violence.
The two officials are members of Kiir’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Boboya James Edimond, a political analyst and executive director of the Institute of Social Policy Research in South Sudan, told Radio Tamazuj the reshuffle was likely driven by worsening insecurity in Upper Nile and neighbouring Jonglei states.
He said ongoing clashes between government forces and the White Army in areas including Nasir, as well as fighting in Akobo, suggested state leadership had struggled to contain the situation.
#jubatimenews, #juba

#Kiir sacks foreign minister, intelligence chief in latest reshuffle. #jubatimenews, #juba

Court admits digital evidence in Machar case
#jubatimenews

According to Ayuol : " Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, I knew him even before he became a minister. Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol has always been humble and could have had all that money even without being a minister.
Contrary to what some believe, he (Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol) was not a fugitive! The problem today undoubtedly lies in the way the customs officials treated him, as he did not deserve such treatment. We must show a minimum of respect to those who have held government positions in the past, as they represent us as South Sudanese.".
"All this because we still thought he was a minister; otherwise, he could have crossed the Nimule border even at 11 p.m without any issue if he had never been a minister as South Sudanese always do".
"Our justice system will prove it, unless some shadowy hand interferes."
#jubatimenews, #bakbarnaba