JUNUB TIMES

Good evening from our Almighty Akoc Payam?

where are you greeting from?

The government declares a three-day public holiday for Eid Al-Adha, to be observed from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29, 2026.

Official work will resume on Monday, June 1, 2026.

South Sudan Traders Raise Alarm Over Alleged Uganda Import Blockade

A South Sudan businessman, Mayen Yai Angok, has accused Ugandan soda factories of denying South Sudanese traders direct access to wholesale commodities and forcing them to buy goods from foreign nationals based in Juba.

Mayen alleged that Ethiopian traders signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ugandan soda-producing companies, granting them exclusive rights to transport soda products into South Sudan.

“They have signed an agreement to be the only ones allowed to transport soda to South Sudan,” he claimed.

The trader urged the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce to urgently investigate the allegations and safeguard local businesses from unfair market control.

“We urgently need the Ministry of Trade to investigate this matter. Foreign entities should not dominate trade within our own country,” Mayen said.

Credit: media Group

Key Scandals and Criticisms

Exclusion of veteran artists
Many argue that SPLM Day should honor musicians who carried the liberation struggle through their art. Instead, organizers often invite contemporary entertainers, leaving out figures like Kembe and Kudusay who are seen as “the mother party’s artists."

Economic strain
South Sudan faces high inflation, delayed salaries, and foreign currency shortages, yet millions are spent on celebrations. Citizens question why scarce resources are used for political festivities instead of healthcare, education, or salaries.

Funding secrecy
SPLM officials have refused to disclose how the event is financed, telling journalists to “do investigative journalism.” This lack of transparency fuels suspicions of misappropriation.

Venue changes
The main event was moved from the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum to Juba National Stadium, officially to allow wider participation. Critics see this as symbolic dilution of the liberation legacy.

Public backlash
Citizens in Juba, Wau, and Warrap have openly questioned the timing and necessity of such large-scale events while hospitals lack medicine and civil servants remain unpaid.

Emmanuel Kembe
Protest songs, morale booster that's seen as a cultural pillar of SPLM struggle.

John Kudusay
Folk music tied to SPLA camps and his absence undermines authenticity.

Garang Ateny
Patriotic compositions that represents continuity of SPLM legacy.

Arop Nyok Kuol
Cultural preservation and ignored despite historic relevance.

Kang JJ
Youth mobilization through music, symbol of generational bridge.

Risks and Implications
Cultural alienation: Ignoring liberation-era artists risks erasing SPLM’s cultural heritage.
Political optics: Extravagant spending during economic hardship undermines SPLM’s credibility. Generational disconnect: Younger performers may entertain but fail to embody the liberation struggle’s spirit.
International perception: Donors and observers see lavish celebrations as misplaced priorities amid stalled reforms.

Looking Ahead

If SPLM wants SPLM Day to resonate, it must:
● Reintegrate veteran artists into the program.
● Increase transparency in funding.
Balance entertainment with heritage, ensuring the event honors sacrifices of the liberation struggle.
● Address economic concerns by scaling celebrations to match national realities.

Wa shokhuran Jazilan