South Sudan: Where is IO’s FVP Dr. Riek Machar [is he under house-arrest?]

There are reports of heavy military deployment of the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) surrounding the home of First Vice President and SPLM/A-(IO) leader Dr. Riek Machar.

There are reports of troops, tanks and artillery-armoured vehicles who are now surrounding the home of Dr. Riek Machar. All of this doesn’t sound like a man who has freedom or allowed to leave his home.

This isn’t the first time that Dr. Riek Machar is feeling the pinch. He has been here before and this isn’t new to him. His silence is worrying though. There is no news from the SPLM/A-IO and no official statement from the party who is targeted and neither any sort of press release telling what is going at the residence of Machar.

The silence is worrying. The SPLM/A-(IO) are a part of the R-ARCSS and SPLM-IG is playing with fire here. The President can come with a humble message and call Machar a brother, but his arresting his associates, and claiming they are a part of the White Army or the insurgency in the Upper Nile state. Which is the reason why we are here and the claims of J1 and R-TGoNU isn’t clever. When the White Army states their associations and where they are coming from, which isn’t fitting the narratives parroted from Juba.

If Dr. Riek Machar is under house arrest. Then there are real ramifications of the R-ARCSS and the agreements of which the government are built upon. The other arrests of IO High Ranking Officials are troubling enough. The knowledge of a possibility of a house arrest is telling.

We are living in uncertainty, and it becomes this dire when the state isn’t institutionalized, but personalized. This is the failure of the J1 and the ones who hasn’t implemented the R-ARCSS within the time limits. They have postponed and postponed… and made it so painful. The government could have acted and planned a way ahead.

The FVP should make noise. He needs to be heard. Especially, if it is true. He needs to speak and release a letter at least. The concerns are out there, and the President cannot think anyone will accept this. The state has failed and that is why the White Army is existing. That isn’t Machar or IO fault, it is the whole government’s fault. Therefore, it is time to act and not vilify the IO. That game is getting old… and we don’t have to repeat old sins. Peace.

South Sudan: Naath White Army – Clarification on the Situation in Nasir and Response to Government Statement (05.03.2025)

South Sudan: IGAD Calls for Restraint and Dialogue Amid Rising Tensions in Nasir County, South Sudan (05.03.2025)

South Sudan: Minster of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services and Spokesperson of the Government on the Current Security and Political Developments in the County (05.03.2025)

South Sudan: Joint Press Statement – The Ambassadors of IGAD in Juba urge the RTGoNU to immediately address the ongoing armed violence in Upper Nile State (05.03.2025)

South Sudan: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-(IO) – Press Release (05.03.2025)

South Sudan: IO Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol arrested today!

“Pres Kiir orders arrest of Petroleum Minister in latest violation of R-ARCSS: SouthSudan Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang has been arrested by forces loyal to Pres Kiir in Juba on Wednesday. It’s the latest escalation by Pres kiir against Machar’s SPLM-IO party” (Juba Daily News, 05.03.2025).

“Puot Kang Chol, one of the senior SPLM-IO figures along with his family members arrested by NSS in Juba today at 2:00 am. He was accused of collaborating with White Army against SSPDF in Nasir” (Ezekial Garang, 05.03.2025).

In Juba the continuing to arrest high-ranking officials and officials in association with SPLM/A-IO or the IO. These are the appointees and the officials, which are holding office as a part of the R-ARCSS. This is J1 and the authorities’ picking sides and there is now allegations that the IO is working in collaboration with the White Army in Nasir County, Upper Nile state. Alas, the White Army has dismissed that, but the J1 and the authorities believes this.

There is now rumours and more speculations on what is going on. There was already concerns and such about the mass arrests yesterday. That is happening as the White Army has been able to take Nasir town. This cannot be downplayed, but now the state arrests people, instead of finding solutions or listening to the youths who arms themselves in the Upper Nile state. That’s what the J1 should do, but instead its going against the IO without proof or evidence.

Now rumours of a house-arrest of Dr. Riek Machar. If that happens, than we are in a slippery slop and returning to skirmishes again. We are then returning to the Machar versus Kiir again. They are going back to start and returning to conflict. That instead of resolving matters and ensuring stability. This is so fickle and just worsening the situation by every hour.

The J1 and President Kiir is causing more harm by doing this. He isn’t assuring people and creating more insecurity. This man is playing with fire and using fire to end it. That isn’t what you are supposed to. However, that is the choice and what he does.

SPLM/A-IO or IO are now targeted and most likely more arrests coming their way. Only the ones going into hiding that can get away. The J1 and President Kiir is going after them. He hasn’t arrested others or implicated them. No, he does it to one group and its deliberate.

There is trouble brewing and this is a dangerous precedent. Peace.

South Sudan: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO) – Office of the Representative – United States of America – Deteriorating Security Situation in Juba for the SPLM/A(IO) Leadership (04.03.2025)

South Sudan: United People’s Alliance (UPA) – Press Statement (04.03.2025)

South Sudan: The Naath White Army has taken Nasir Town [Will J1 listen to their plea now?]

The White Army of Nasir County wishes to make it clear to the regional bodies—IGAD, EAC, and the International Community—that we are not an army. We are civilians who took up arms to protect our women, children, and communities from the brutal attacks of the Agwelek and Abushok militia, who have been slaughtering innocent people. We strongly oppose the continued presence of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in our county, as they have engaged in years of killings, rapes, and destruction of our communities and property. In response to these atrocities, we requested the Government of National Unity to replace them with Unified Forces, as agreed upon in the peace process. Instead, the government has sent us the Agwelek and Abushok militia, who are not part of the unified forces and do not represent peace. We want to make it unequivocally clear to the government in Juba that we are not affiliated with any political movement, including SPLM-IO. We do not support any political party or armed faction. Our only concern is the safety and well-being of our people. We do not want militias in Nasir. To His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit, we appeal directly to you: we are civilians living under the government of South Sudan, not an army. Do not listen to the false narratives labeling us as a military force. No territory can have two armies—we respect that principle and demand the government does the same” (White Army – ‘We Are Not an Army—We Are Civilians Defending Our People’ 04.03.2025).

Ter Chuol Gatkuoth, a White Army leader, told Radio Tamazuj that the group drove South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) out of the town early Tuesday, capturing their military barracks in Wei-Yar-Adiu and seizing heavy weaponry and a troop transport barge. “We clashed with government soldiers this morning and chased them away. They are now in the bushes,” Gatkuoth stated. He claimed heavy casualties on both sides, with over 20 White Army fighters killed and an unconfirmed number of SSPDF soldiers dead” (South Sudan 24, 04.03.2025).

There was already signs that there was escalation and concerning movements in the Upper Nile state. That has been on the horizon for a moment. Now the worry is over to a new sort of paradigm, as the J1 and the R-TGoNU have lost their way.

The SSPDF has had to flee and leave Nasir Town as the Naath White Army has been able to overrun the army. That is a tale in itself and an achievement. This has happened in a haste and quickly, as the SSPDF and such have called for de-escalations and this fall of the town only happens within 48 hours or 24 hours since there was an emergency meeting in Juba on the matter. Therefore, the utter failure is upon the state.

The Transitional Government that is currently arresting and detaining high-ranking officials. That is busy capturing and arresting people allegedly in connection with the White Army in Juba. They are detaining both high ranking officers, but also ranks from within the SPLM-IO. While the White Army itself claims to be of no affiliation. Therefore, the state is maybe operating on their own accord and scapegoating the SPLM-IO for own benefit.

This is a failure of the state, as it is not securing or keeping the civilians. The civilians feels so unsafe and doesn’t trust its army. That they end up fighting it for their defence and their own security. That is what is told here. The White Army already warned the state earlier this year and now it is official.

This here is far from over. The White Army is on the rise and the SSPDF is now known for shelling and burning villages. It isn’t known for defending them or being their guards. That’s why the youths and the people are supporting the White Army. This is a detriment to the failure of the state and government itself, which should have avoid this to begin with. The youths are doing this because they know Kiir and J1 doesn’t listen to them anyway. This is why they grab arms and does it in self-defence.

Things are only more shaky from here. The actions in Juba isn’t making things better either. Distrust, tension and a lot of unknowns, as the White Army has risen and conquered the national army. That’s saying something. J1 needs to act wise and possibly listen to the Nuer youths of Nasir County and Nasir Town. As they have spoken. They know their words and their petitions wouldn’t be heard, but the usage of guns and ammo would make the likes of Generals in the capital to listen. Peace.