The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has called on military officers allied with First Vice President Riek Machar to return to work after reports that some had gone into hiding following recent clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
The appeal comes amid heightened tensions in Juba and other parts of the country after a deadly incident during a United Nations evacuation operation in Nasir on Friday. Major General Majur Dak, an SSPDF commander in Nasir, and several soldiers were killed during the operation. A UN crew member also lost their life.
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The evacuation was part of efforts to de-escalate tensions following clashes between the SSPDF and the White Army, a loosely organized armed youth group from the Nuer community. The government has linked the White Army to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
On Tuesday, the White Army seized control of Nasir’s military barracks after fierce fighting with government forces, leaving Gen. Majur and his troops stranded. The UN helicopter involved in the evacuation reportedly came under heavy fire during the operation, which had been coordinated by the SPLM-IO to rescue stranded SSPDF troops.
The SSPDF has accused SPLM-IO leaders of orchestrating the conflict in Nasir, further straining relations between the two groups. In response, several senior SPLM-IO officials were arrested in Juba earlier this week, including Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy chief of the SSPDF and SPLA-IO chief of staff, and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang.
The 2018 peace agreement, which aimed to unify the country’s armed forces, has yet to be fully implemented. President Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar have faced challenges in integrating their forces into a single national army.
Calls for Calm and Return to Duty
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang urged former opposition officers integrated into the SSPDF to return to work. He acknowledged that some had gone into hiding due to the rising tensions but emphasized that the Nasir clashes were not their responsibility.
“We discovered that some former opposition officers absorbed into the SSPDF and other organized forces as part of the first level command went into hiding. The military command appeals to them to come back to work. What is happening in Nasir is not their problem, and they are no longer considered opposition,” he said.
Gen. Koang also confirmed that the body of the SSPDF commander killed in the clashes had been brought to Juba for burial, with plans underway to decide on the burial site.
He stressed that the conflict should not be viewed as tribal and urged the public to avoid taking matters into their own hands. “This is a national problem, not a tribal issue. We ask the public not to seek revenge,” he said.
Gratitude to Local Communities
The SSPDF spokesperson expressed gratitude to communities in Ulang and Akobo counties for assisting and protecting stranded service members. Over 71 servicemen are reportedly under the protection of local leaders and the White Army.
“We thank them for their patriotism and nationalism. We are appealing to our security forces to be on high alert and ready to receive our servicemen, who are expected to be escorted to the nearest garrisons,” Gen. Koang said.
He also revealed that some servicemen had died while attempting to escape the clashes, though official casualty figures remain unavailable.
When asked about the Nasir base overrun during the clashes in Nasir, Gen. Koang did not confirm immediate redeployment but indicated that discussions were ongoing.
SPLA-IO Spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel could not immediately be reached for comment.
