(JUBA) – The Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services on Thursday officially welcomed John Madol Panther as the new Managing Director of the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). The event held at the SSBC headquarters in Juba was attended by senior officials from the ministry, who expressed their support for the incoming director.
Panther takes over from James Magok Chilim, who became the first Managing Director of SSBC after its establishment as a corporation. His appointment marks a new phase in the state broadcaster’s operations. Before assuming his new role, Panther had served in different government positions, including Minister of Information in the former 32 states structure. Most recently, he held the position of Director of Press and Publications at the National Ministry of Information until August 2025.
Congratulating the new managing director, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Information, Mawien Bulabek, pledged full cooperation with Panther in order to strengthen SSBC and enhance its role as the country’s national broadcaster. During the visit, the Undersecretary also toured the SSBC printing press to review available equipment and assess capacity.
Officials said that efforts are being made to ensure both the Government Printing Press (GPP) and the News Agency of South Sudan (NASS) become self sustaining institutions that can effectively support the ministry’s service delivery mandate. These institutions are expected to play a central role in improving the flow of information within the country.
In a related development, the Ministry of Transports confirmed that it had signed an agreement with the Government of Djibouti to construct river and dry ports in multiple towns across South Sudan. The deal, announced in Juba on Wednesday, includes new port facilities in Yei, Renk, Nasir, Adok, Bor, Juba and Shambe.
The Minister of Transports, Dr Lam Akol Ajawin, said the partnership represented a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral ties with Djibouti while advancing national infrastructure. He explained that once the projects are completed, the ports will boost trade and logistics and accelerate economic integration with the Great Lakes region.
Planned Port Locations in South Sudan
| Location | Type of Port | Strategic Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Yei | Dry Port | Link to Uganda and DRC trade routes |
| Renk | River Port | Access to Sudan trade corridor |
| Nasir | River Port | Strengthen Upper Nile trade links |
| Adok | River Port | Facilitate oil and goods transport |
| Bor | River Port | Agricultural and trade hub |
| Juba | River Port | Capital based logistics hub |
| Shambe | River Port | Central river crossing point |
According to Dr Ajawin, the initiative will not only improve movement of goods and services but also facilitate easier travel for citizens and cross border partners. He emphasised that the ports programme would enhance South Sudan’s position as an emerging logistics hub within East and Central Africa.
