ABB ECHO

Deng and Wol Cross the Bridge

Drought killed the cattle and cut off the road in Deng and Wol’s village. At 17 and 15, they had two choices: stay and starve slowly, or cross the old swaying iron bridge to Juba and risk everything.

Halfway across, Wol froze. Deng said, “Mama said a bridge doesn’t care if you’re scared. It only cares if you keep moving.” So they kept moving.

Juba wasn’t easy. They slept under a market stall, carried water for pennies, and got sick. But they had a plan: learn a skill, work, send money home. Deng learned to fix phones. Wol learned to read and taught other boys at night.

Two years later, they had a small shop and a school corner. They sent money back, and their family ate again.

Meaning: A better life doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It starts when you decide that staying stuck is scarier than crossing, even if the bridge shakes.

The Road Mama Knew

When floods took Amina’s farm, father, and home at 14, her mother Mama Kemi didn’t let grief be the plan.

“We have no land now,” she said, “but we have time. Use it well.”

Amina woke at 4 a.m. to carry water, sold cassava to eat, and was called “dust girl” by everyone. Every night, Mama Kemi wrote one word in the dirt: persistence, plan, patience.

The plan was simple: learn better than anyone, get the scholarship, study electronics, and come back to fix what broke. Amina failed twice before she passed. School was harder than the road one meal a day, night shifts, the only girl in class. But she stuck to it.

At 24 she returned with a small solar grid and a workshop. The river still flooded, but the lights stayed on.

Mama Kemi smiled and said: “Hard life isn’t to break you. It’s to make you unbreakable.”

Meaning: Pain without a plan becomes bitterness. Pain with a plan becomes a foundation.

GEPT Day 12 Last Group Stage Match!

📌 Toch North Vs Toch East
🏟️Medan Munuki, 3:00pm

Singer John Frog has reportedly been detained by NSS after fellow artist Lady Kola earlier raised concerns about his disappearance.

The circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear.

𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗞𝗢𝗟𝗔 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦’ 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗚

Prominent South Sudanese artist Lady Kola has cautioned that musicians across the country may stage a strike if the whereabouts of fellow artist John Frog are not disclosed.

She expressed concern over his alleged disappearance, noting that efforts to locate him in police stations across Juba have been unsuccessful. A video circulating online reportedly shows him being assaulted, although the circumstances remain unverified.

Lady Kola urged authorities to provide clarity, warning that failure to do so could prompt collective action from the artistic community. No official response has been issued by authorities so far.

Aweil Counties’ Tournament forms leadership and appoints advisors in Juba

The President of the Aweil Counties’ Tournament in Juba, Wol Dut Anguei, has issued Executive Orders No. 1 and No. 2 of 2026, establishing the tournament’s leadership and appointing key coordinators and advisors.

More details are in the attached document below.

President Kiir says elections must take place in December

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has urged financial institutions to release funds to ensure South Sudan’s December elections go ahead as planned, stressing that all efforts must focus on making the polls a reality.

Speaking during a meeting with the inter-party dialogue committee, the President emphasized that timely funding is critical to keep the electoral process on track. Officials said preparations include political dialogue to maintain peace and coordination with security forces to ensure safe and credible elections.

The committee has presented its budget and is expected to engage financial institutions to mobilize resources for the electoral process.

Former Finance Minister Marial Dongrin has been returned to detention after briefly being granted permission to travel to Rumbek last week for the burial of his daughter, a source has confirmed.

“The ultimate pride of every father is to be able to provide for his children and watch them grow in righteousness. Keep the glow and keep the lights shining bright on those dreams. Each one of them is achievable.” Silver X takes pride in providing for his firstborn daughter.

The Former Minister of Finance Bak Barnaba has been released from detention according to family sources.

Summary of Presidential Decrees!

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has issued a series of presidential decrees this evening, announcing key changes across government institutions:

1. Amb. James Pitia Morgan has been relieved of his role as Presidential Envoy to the Greater Lakes Region. No replacement has been announced.

2. Amb. Monday Semeya Kumba has been removed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He is replaced by Amb. James Pitia Morgan, who previously served in the same position.

3. Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk has been dismissed as Minister of Trade and Industry. Dr. Labanya Margaret Mathya Ugila has been appointed as her successor.

4. Mary Nawai Martin has been removed as Minister of Youth and Sports. She is replaced by Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk.

5. Akec Tong Aleu has been relieved of his position as First Undersecretary at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs. Gregory Deng Kuac has been appointed in his place.

6. Gen. Mawien Mawien Ariik has been dismissed as Director General of the Internal Security Bureau (National Security Service). Gen. Akec Tong Aleu has been reappointed to the position.

7. Lt. Gen. John Manut Wol has been relieved of his role as Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance of the Internal Security Bureau (NSS). He is replaced by Maj. Gen. Napoleon Adok G*i, the former NCA boss.

8. Lt. Gen. Gregory Deng Kuac has been removed as First Deputy Director at the General Intelligence Bureau (NSS). No replacement has been announced.

These changes take immediate effect.