
South Sudan: Integrity South Sudan – Integrity South Sudan is calling urges the Government of South Sudan and parties to the R-ARCSS to prioritize political dialogue over the enforcement of peace (27.03.2025)



“South Sudan security forces have moved to arrest First Vice President and main armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar, Sudans Post has learned. Sources with direct knowledge say Machar’s bodyguards have been disarmed and withdrawn, and a high-level security delegation is currently meeting him to formally inform him of the arrest. The delegation includes the head of the National Security Service, Minister of Defends and Veterans’ Affairs and the SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces” (Sudans Post, 26.03.2025).
The continued pursuit of the SPLM-IO are now in full effect. The SPLM-IG has already targeted the IO and arrested several high-ranking officials. They have completely and single-handedly shown their character and their goals of doing such. As they are claiming the IO is behind the Naath White Army and haven’t considered the implications of its actions.
J1 and allies are now altering everything. The R-ARCSS is dead. It was already in a bad state. There was little to no movement. The glacier slow implementation and prolonged interim period only caused more friction, as the personification of the state was from the President and Commander-in-Chief. Who in his capacity haven’t been able or had the sincere concern with building state institutions, but offering jobs for the boys.
That is what we are seeing now. The usage of the SSPDF and UPDF as means to an end. This is warlords issuing more war to settle grievances. This is taking it to the battlefield and ensuring instability. It isn’t talking or negotiating. No, this is just using force and deliberately undermine the others. That’s what the J1 is doing and he has the arrogance of doing so, because the UPDF mercenaries are carrying the have lifting. They are bombing and killing on his behalf…
That’s why they would dare to challenge the FVP and IO leader in this manner. Because they have the big guns and have the ability to do so. Regardless, of if Machar has done anything wrong this time around. He is being blamed and now they are capturing him. After they have gone after the people surrounding him and his party.
It just shows that the R-ARCSS isn’t worth the papers it is written on. The SPLM-IG isn’t concerned or cares about that. They can just throw it all away and think this use of force can solve anything. This is practically trying to consolidate power without the usage of protocol or negotiations, as we know this government and interim administration isn’t elected anyway.
President Kiir and J1 is walking and dancing towards war. They are beating the war drums and doing it so loudly too. This they started with a bang. There is no slowing down. They are just deciding it and ordering it to happen.
The arrest of Dr. Riek Machar isn’t just a sign, but an act. The last straw. They are pulling all the levers and sooner or later the whole dam will burst. Peace.





“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.



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.

