South

The current political unrest in South Sudan illuminates the fragile nature of peace and power dynamics within the nation. As South Sudan grapples with tenuous stability, recent developments threaten to unravel the delicate fabric of peace woven since the end of the brutal civil war. This unrest underscores a critical turning point in South Sudan’s political landscape, where every decision could either fortify or shatter the fragile peace. Recently, the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar and several key figures has ignited…

U.N. Advocates for Restraint Following Turbulence in South Sudan's Political Sphere AX – Juba: The call for peace resonates loudly from the halls of the United Nations as tension brews in South Sudan. Recent reports indicate the unexpected arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, a move that hangs like a dark cloud over the nation’s delicate peace. In a prescient statement released at the crack of dawn on Thursday, Nicholas Haysom, a man who knows the landscape well as the U.N. Mission chief in South Sudan (UNMISS),…

Reflecting on international diplomacy, one cannot underestimate the complexity of appointing national ambassadors, a process laden with strategic considerations and diplomatic repercussions. Recently, the nomination of Leo Brent Bozell III by former President Donald Trump as the United States Ambassador to South Africa has sparked substantial discussion. This decision has stirred controversy, leaving many to wonder: Is this a step forward or a regression in U.S.-South Africa relations? Bozell, known widely as a…

Mr. Zane Dangor, South Africa's G20 Sherpa and Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, recently found himself amidst the bustling halls of the United Nations in New York. His presence there was prompted by an invitation from the President of the General Assembly, offering him a platform to delineate South Africa’s priorities as it assumes the G20 Presidency. With earnest conviction, Mr. Dangor spoke of a theme deeply rooted in South Africa’s ethos—“Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”…

Tragic events have unfolded in South Korea as wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives, marking one of the most catastrophic wildfire outbreaks in the nation's history. The acting president characterized the damage as “unprecedented,” reflecting the widespread impact these fires have had on communities. Over the weekend, a series of wildfires erupted, particularly devastating the southeast region of the country. This calamity has forced approximately 27,000 residents to evacuate urgently, with flames cutting off access…

On the horizon, South Africans face yet another financial challenge. With already precarious economic conditions, the impending electricity price increase of 12.7% slated for April 1, 2025—dubbed "Fossil Fools' Day" by the environmental group Earthlife Africa—has sent shockwaves through households already struggling to make ends meet. When combined with the anticipated 0.5% hike in VAT, families will be forced to grapple with excruciating choices: Should they pay for electricity or for essentials like food and medicine?…

Picture this — a land rich with potential, the world's newest nation teetering on the delicate threshold of peace and chaos. South Sudan, a country birthed from years of struggle and yearning for independence, finds itself once more at a crossroads. Can it navigate the precarious path to sustained peace, or will history repeat itself in a torrent of conflict? In a move illustrating the growing unease, Germany has prudently shuttered its embassy in Juba, the pulsating heart of South Sudan. As tensions ravage this…

It's a moment none of us wished to witness: Germany taking the weighty decision to temporarily close its embassy in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The reason? A situation spiraling out of control, with tensions escalating to the point of threatening a relapse into civil war. This close of diplomatic doors was publicly shared by the German foreign ministry on a gloomy Saturday. For South Sudan, a nation still tender in its young years, the threat of plunging back into conflict feels perilously close. Who could…

Imagine a world where communication is not just fast, but impossibly secure. Recent strides in science are ushering us towards this reality. A collaboration that truly stretches our imagination, and the boundaries of traditional communication, has scientists from China and South Africa working hand in hand. They've achieved a groundbreaking milestone—establishing the world’s longest intercontinental quantum satellite communication link, traversing a staggering 12,900 kilometers between the two countries. Just…

The Longest Quantum Communication Link: A Leap into the Future Innovation knows no boundaries, a notion underscored by the collaboration between brilliant minds spanning continents. Picture this: scientists hailing from China and South Africa, uniting their expertise to forge what is now celebrated as the world's longest intercontinental quantum satellite communication link. This monumental connection stretches a staggering 12,900 kilometers, symbolizing not just a technological triumph but a testament to human ingenuity…