Sudan: SAF having a momentum in the conflict [The Presidential Palace returned to the SAF]

“In an eternal heroic epic, our forces today crowned their successes on the Khartoum fronts by crushing the remnants of the Dagalo terrorist militia in the areas of central Khartoum, the Arab Market, the buildings of the Republican Palace (a symbol of the sovereignty and dignity of the Sudanese nation), and the ministry buildings. With God’s grace and support, our forces completely destroyed enemy personnel and equipment and seized large quantities of their weapons and equipment in the mentioned areas” (Sudanese Armed Forces, 21.03.2025).

Today, the Presidential Palace was captured by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war continues, but SAF has a visible momentum not only in Khartoum, but elsewhere in Sudan too.

The SAF is advancing elsewhere too and there are reports of such. This is just showing the signs and the strength of the SAF at the moment. That is a victory and a possible relief for Al-Burhan. However, Hemeti is far from over and this must be hold.

The victory today is important and gives the SAF a momentum. It shows they are able and getting important sites in the Republic. The Sudanese state is hurting, the people are struggling and living in plight. There isn’t a short stop or a possibility to stop the conflict, which lives on.

The Sudanese people are still caught between the SAF and RSF. Two Generals fighting for legitimacy and ability to rule supreme. They are fighting to be running the nation and doesn’t mind the bloodshed to do so. That’s why they are continuing to fight and sealed the fate of the nation by doing so.

This war is far from over. The conflict between SAF and RSF will persist. The usage of force and unarmed civilians caught in between them. We will see and hear reports of atrocities from both parties. There are internally displaced people created by it too. Reports of famine and starvation too, as this continuing on the third year. The deaths will continue and we should not forget that fact.

The victory today is important for the SAF. However, will this stop the RSF? I don’t think so, but it shows they are weaker and have to retreat. Hemeti will try to galvanize his troops, but we know the SAF can possible advance further too. Peace.

South Sudan: United People’s Alliance (UPA) – Press Statement (21.03.2025)

RDC: Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) – Communique Officiel (20.03.2025)

Ethiopia: Globas Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals – Response to Concerns about GSTS’s Role in TIA by Some Interest Individuals/Group (20.03.2025)

Rwanda: Platforme Amahoro PC – FDU Inking – P5 Imberakuri – Rwanda National Congress – Rwandan Opposition Platforme (P4) commends the European Union for the Sanctions Against Senior Rwandan Officers and condemns Kigali’s Hostile Stance against Belgium (19.03.2025)

South Sudan: Status of Forces Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan (10.01.2025)

South Sudan: VP Bol Mel is skating towards unchartered territory

Even if you are a Dinka and you follow the same path, I will call you a terrorist” – Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel (18.03.2025).

It’s like some people never learns and never considers the implications of their words or actions for that matter. The newly minted Vice President Dr. Benjim Bol Mel. The planned successor of President Salva Kiir Mayardit is speaking out of pocket. His implying and stating his opinions at the burial of the assassinated General Majur Dak Thel. As was there to mourn and celebrate the life lived. However, his speech was a war-cry and a sign of what to come.

This man will hold no prisoners. The VP will use force and willing wage war. That from a government running on shaky-ground and speed running the end of the R-ARCSS. As the modalities and the structure of R-ARCSS is altered in a way, which the different stakeholders are losing ground to SPLM-IG. The IO is stripped of power and having high ranking leaders detained. Therefore, this recent speech at the burial isn’t making things better either. The ones celebrating this… is dancing on the graves and the possibility of more war.

One funeral that can become plenty more. This one here is a tragedy and possible start of prolonged agony. As the VP is direct and doesn’t save anyone.

Just read these quotes…

Riek Machar should give the orders to IO forces to move if we need peace. Riek Machar should denounce the White Army, stating that they are not part of his IO. I also asked the international community to tell Riek Machar to remove that title, Commander in Chief of the IO. There should be only one Commander in Chief of the armed forces”(VP Bol Mel, 18.03.2025).

The government of South Sudan is fighting terrorists under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny unless he denounces the White Army. The international community should help us fight terrorism. I know U.S president Donald J Trump will listen to us” (VP Bol Mel, 18.03.2025).

This here isn’t a sign of mediation, listening to grievances or any sort of consideration of why the Nuer Youth took to arms and didn’t think the Transitional Government would listen to them. We are seeing why they knew this government wouldn’t listen or care about it. That signs are there and now it is complete. Yes, the Naath White Army escalated things and took it a bit to far. However, the Transitional Government could have tried to reign it in and had a third-party to intervene on its behalf for a peaceful mediation. Instead it has decided to hire the UPDF as its mercenaries and burn villages to the ground to prove a point. Let Nasir County and others go into ashes and call it a night. That’s what the VP Bol Mel and others support, as they are speaking of civilians and citizens as terrorists, instead of considering their cause and the reason why they took up arms.

This is what J1 and the VP is missing. They are blaming IO and have no credible evidence of coordinated efforts between IO and the Naath White Army. Neither is there any good news coming from the battlefield. As the UPDF and SSPDF are fine with usage of chemical weapons on civilians and the area itself. That is the sort of measure the state and their allies are seeing fit. They don’t mind burning people to death. Just to settle a score and harm a county and state for decades to come. This sort of affair will be part of the history and tales for decades to come. As everyone will talk and discuss the ones behind it all. They will be known for their orders and why they issued it. As the death, the ones mourning and everyone else will remember these culprits and the ones had no trouble causing this massive amount of death.

There should have been talks and been negotiations. There should have been village elders and others who could have had sit-downs with the youth. J1 and the Transitional Government should have picked other measures and means. Even tried to understand the sentiment and reasons for why they took to arms. That’s what a reasonable government does…

Nevertheless, the VP Bol Mel and J1 are more concerned about their entitlement and pride, than the lives who is taken in Nasir County. That is evident. The smoke, the fire and destruction is done on their watch. This is their war. Peace.

South Sudan: Naath White Army – In Response to the Speech by VP H.E. Bol Mel During the Burial of Lt. Gen. Majur Dak Thel (19.03.2025)

South Sudan: SPLM-IO pulls out of all mechanisms

“After a thorough assessment of the credibility and composition of the Mechanisms, Political and Security environment of the Peace Implementation Mechanisms, and after wide consultation, all the participation of the members of the said Security and Political mechanisms is hereby frozen with immediate effect until all the SPLM/SPLA-IO Political Detainees are unconditionally released. The Members of the said Mechanism shall only attend RJMEC Plenary Sessions to affirm the unconditional release of their colleagues. We hold the SPLM-IG their security apparatus responsible for the safety and life of all detainees.” (Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, 17.03.2025).

It is now clear that J1 are soon very lonely in the Transitional Government, as the state has targeted the SPLM-IO. The SPLM-IG has decided this and blamed the SPLM-IO for the Naath White Army. Alas, now the acts of the authorities, the army and the President backfires. As the tension between Dr. Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir Mayardit is in the air.

The SPLM-IO is becoming an outside entity until the Transitional Government meets the needs of the IO. The IO is now addressing the state of affairs and willingly to cease operating within the various mechanisms and state organizations it’s a part of. This is endangering the R-ARCSS and the whole process of the transitional agreement. The lacking implementation and slow work on it, just shows how IO and IG have personalized the state. The Presidential Decrees and appointments haven’t built the state either. That’s why we are here in 2025.

Just read this…

“We also state clearly that the failure by the government of South Sudan to provide protection to life and property to all citizens of South Sudan has resulted in proliferation and establishment of community vigilantes including Tit-bai, Gel-weng, Agwelek, Abushok, White army, monyamiji, Arrow Boys, etc. Profiling the White army and declaring war by mobilizing state political, military and diplomatic machinery is tantamount to further a “state policy of targeting members of a group”. We call upon the African Union, United Nations, Troika, European Union and IGAD Partners Forum and the C5 Countries to protect civilians in South Sudan and reject the call by the government spokesperson to profile an ethnic group, and we also call upon you to visit the African Union Commission Report on South Sudan (The Obasanjo Report) and hold the government and individual committing atrocities and Human Rights Violations in South Sudan to account” (Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, 17.03.2025).

The SPLM-IO withdrawal and pulling out of the mechanisms are bad enough in itself. The last time there was need for mediation and a new security agreement between the IO and IG. Something similar will most likely happen again. Unless Kiir thinks UPDF can cover for him and be his guardian. We are seeing his willing to use these forces to defend the nation for him. The IG is attacking civilians and using the UPDF as their mercenaries. That isn’t making the uprising and the rise of the Naath White Army stopped. The state must address this in another way, but we only see more guns and advanced weaponry.

The IG should be concerned and worried about the state of affairs. As it now in dire straits, the IO leaving the R-ARCSS and mechanisms isn’t just stalling the peace process… but questioning the reasoning and acts of the IG. That is the reality… and J1 needs to reflect on his ways and why things are going in this direction. Therefore, the leadership in Juba needs to change and also listen to people, the warfare and the usage of force won’t settle things. It will only cause more conflict and harm, which is what we see in regard to Naath White Army. Peace.

South Sudan: Government of Jonglei State – Akobo County, Commissioner’s Office – Bombing of innocent civilians of Akobo County by SSPDF/UPDF gunship (18.03.2025)