South Sudan: The UPDF and the SSPDF bombing IO at Wunaliet… [A new IG versus IO again]

Bombardment of SPLA-IO cantonment site of Wunaliet near Juba.

This evening at about 1900 hours, SSPDF bombarded randomly the SPLA-IO cantonment site. This provocative action is a violation of the R-ARCSS.

The SPLA-IO strongly condemns this SSPDF planned act and calls for urgent intervention from the International Community to stop this violence that is being waged by the SSPDF.

Col. Lam Paul Gabriel

SPLA-IO Spokesperson GHQs” (SPLM-IO, 24.03.2025).

The speculations and rumours circulating Dr. Riek Machar seems to be answered, as the J1, the army and the mercenary army of the UPDF are now directly bombing the cantonment site of Wunaliet of the SPLA/M-IO. That is directly creating not only tensions, but escalating the conflict even further.

The IO has already been tested and been under fire, as the SPLM-IG has fired ministers, governors and others connected to the IO. Meanwhile, it has appointed their own IG to the same posts. Also, claiming the alleged involvement and interference of IO in the Nasir County and Upper Nile State uprising of the Naath White Army. However, the White Army has several times said there is no connection to the IO.

So, the IG is using the spiral conflict and the warfare of Upper Nile State as an argument to target the IO. That’s why they are furthering the cause now. At this very time bombing the IO and their cantonment site.

This is another battle and a new re-issue of the conflict between Kiir and Machar. Another edition of skirmishes and fierce wars on the battlefield. As these two are handling it militarily, instead of acting like civilians. That’s what is going on and Kiir thinks he has the advantage, as he has his allies of Uganda to help him along the way. The UPDF is serving his interests and their weaponry comes with advantages too. Therefore, he think it is wise and that he got an edge.

It is just striking that the fears of all of this was founded in a truth. That the White Army could cause all of this. That the uprising in Nasir could spark tensions and make things worse again. Because the J1 and the people surrounding him cannot reflect or digest the sentiments of the youths taking up arms. Instead they have to vilify Machar and his IO for their own interests. That’s why they are issuing the war and ordering this conflict. As they are now sparking more pain, suffering and plight on the people of South Sudan.

The blame game is getting old. The usage of Machar as a scapegoat, as the realities are that the IG are now causing this and they are the ones issuing the bullets. They are the ones who are going after IO and has done so deliberately of late. Now they are just taking it another step and showing their intension of war.

South Sudan, cry havoc… more pain and suffering. More bloodshed, because warlords wants to rule indefinitely and without a proper mandate. They only want to cling on top power by force and neglect the people. That’s why we are here and it’s just tragic. Peace.

South Sudan: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Official Response to Threatening Public Statements by General Yasir Al-Atta of the Republic of the Sudan (24.03.2025)

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South Sudan: Rumours circulating surrounding Dr. Riek Machar

The silence, the utter silence and nothingness makes you wonder. Meanwhile, the tension and the acts of violence is in the air. The usage of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) as the President doesn’t trust the SSPDF. That is evident and clear, as the UPDF is haunting and bombing the Upper Nile in the hunt for the Naath White Army. Alas, therein is the problem and why the ghosts are haunting J1.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit are now trusting mercenaries to keep him in office. He trust them and embodies them in the quest to end the insurgency and the upheaval in the Upper Nile State. In such a manner, that is causing more harm and devastation. Instead of listening to grievances and the reasons for why the youth takes up arms. That should have been the manner and the way to resolve it. However, J1 and his allies are choosing the path on annihilation and complete destruction.

That’s why the First Vice President silence is worrying. It is concerning, as there is no word, public appearance or even a saying. FVP Dr. Riek Machar isn’t to be found. There are speculations of a house-arrest in Juba. But nothing is confirmed.

Just like the rumours and speculations of an assassination attempt, which was called out in the last minute by the President. As the detail and the people involved was called off before ordering the hit on the FVP. Alas, there are such sinister plots and questions remaining. There is a need to know, and it is clear.

We cannot know the gist of things when it is just unverified speculations. It is a hard bargain to get an acknowledgement or justification for set action either. There is a lack of transparency and accountability here at play. The fickle nature and the personification of the state hasn’t made this easier either. As the decrees and the sackings are happening at a fast pace.

The FVP needs to address the public. The SPLM-IO needs to talk and hit it heads on. The same is needed from J1. As the SPLM-IG are speaking reckless and is issuing threats that could end up lethal. Therefore, there is a need for slowing down and take everything into account. Because nothing good is coming out of this. It is only steps closer to war and more conflict. Not like less and not sustainable peace. Just more death and destruction. The Republic of South Sudan doesn’t need that now but need proper sustainable peace and development. Therefore, J1 who is a custodian of power should ensure this and not cause more harm, which its currently doing in Nasir County and the Upper Nile State.

Dr. Riek Machar needs to speak and release a statement. He needs to be vocal and sincere. As the J1 and others are calling for his head. The UPDF CDF Muhoozi Kaineruabaga asked for him to bow down to the President. It just shows what sort of business the ones in Kampala serves and who are their partner in all of this. They aren’t there to safeguard the public, but save the grace and His Excellency. That’s why Machar is supposed to be an underling and a means to an end.

Machar needs to show up and hurry up about it to. He cannot wait anymore and the suffering is already evident. The pain and the plights of the people are evident .The bombing and use of power will only persist. This here is done until the Naath White Army disbands or disarms itself, but if doing so… it could be their end and the final bowing out. That’s maybe why they are hesitant to do so.

What we do know… is that the speculations and rumours surrounding Dr. Riek Machar is doing no good. A vital leader and a man who has been tested before. This wouldn’t be new to him. Though the direct approach of assassination isn’t common practice, but him being house arrested. That has happened before and was a start-up to a running conflict before. Therefore, the SPLM-IG should know this and shouldn’t push those buttons. As it cannot revise it quickly and patch the hurt without any sort of remedy. Peace.

Tchad: Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres, de l’Integration Africaine, et des Tchadiens de l’Etranger – Communique de Presse No. 0095 (23.03.2025)

Ethiopia: Is “Operation Unity” endangering ENDF in Amhara region?

Today is the fifth day of the “Operation Unity” which makes four FANO Groups coordinating and working together to combat the Federal Government. The prolonged war in the Amhara region between the formerly government trained people of FANO and the ones who didn’t disembark from the Regional Special Forces to the ENDF. These have now fought ENDF for a long time now.

However, that has been done in fractions and in terms of local leadership. It haven’t been coordinated or been in strategic manners. It was more loose based and not as structured. So, the start of such operation and campaign is a turn between the Amhara para-military groups of FANO and the Federal National Army, which is the ENDF.

It is striking that they are doing this in Gojam, Gonder, Welo and Shewa. That shows the collective efforts and that the FANO isn’t bickering under or giving way. The lies and deception of the Prosperity Party. That they were holding talks with FANO and making peace haven’t been truthful. When they are all partaking and doing this now.

This here should worry Addis Ababa, as the fragmented FANO could easily be overcome or total destroy over time. Now the FANO is getting organized and actually engage as a collective. That should signal how the “Medemer Terror” has failed. The Drone wars and the use of lethal force, which haven’t created an environment of trust or building confidence between the citizens and the state. That’s where the Prime Minister Abiy has fallen and his now entrapping his own government.

This prolonged war and conflict between him and former allies. Only shows how fickle his play is. As these was weapon-brothers in the conflict in the Tigray region. Now his fighting them and continuing to lose. They are able to capture weapons and weakening the army itself. The ENDF doesn’t have the advantage, as the FANO knows the game and know the tactics of the state. They were weapon brothers and now the guns has turned against each other.

It just shows the sort of political gambits Abiy does and what sort of results his getting. The warlord is getting more wars. The warlord is getting more enemies and trying to fragment them into smaller entities. So that he can conquer them or get them into submission. However, with FANO that hasn’t worked and now they are starting to work together. That means they will get more powerful and also have better possibility to strike harder. This should worry Abiy and his allies, as they are now feeling the pinch in Amhara.

This is only the start of “Operation Unity”… we don’t know how it will end or what sort of end-game there is here. Nevertheless, the ENDF and Abiy should be aware or even rethink its strategies. As they can now be corned and outsmarted, if the FANO plays their cards right. That option wasn’t there before, but has now arrived.

Amhara region will burn, the ashes will loom and the destruction is upon it. The fights will be bloody and nothing will be left to chance. Especially, if Abiy and his fellow warlords put everything into play. They will go after anyone and they will kill. That’s what they do… and we have seen it already. The “Medemer Terror” is no joke. It is merciless and without any remorse.

So, don’t expect this to be peaceful or a narrow journey. No, this will be rocky and be dangerous. Peace.

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