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Army chief orders troops to eliminate eastern insurgency
South Sudan's military leadership has directed soldiers to suppress a growing rebellion in the east within a week, warning the unrest could threaten the capital, Juba. General Paul Nang Majok, the country's defence force chief, told reinforcements in Jonglei state that they had seven days to "crush the rebellion" and reclaim captured territory.
Fighting escalates near strategic town
Opposition forces aligned with the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) have seized multiple areas in Jonglei, according to local reports. The advances now endanger Bor, the state capital, located just two hours' drive from Juba. Bor holds strategic significance as a gateway to the capital and was the first major town captured by rebels during the 2013-2018 civil war.
South Sudanese troops, backed by an undisclosed number of Ugandan soldiers, are preparing to push into SPLA-IO-held zones, state broadcaster SSBC reported. Earlier estimates suggested 4,000 Ugandan forces were involved, though officials have not confirmed the figure.
Political tensions fuel military confrontation
Analysts say the SPLA-IO's threats to advance toward Juba are designed to pressure the government into releasing its leader, Riek Machar. The suspended first vice-president is currently on trial for murder, treason, and crimes against humanity-charges he denies. Machar's wife, Angelina Teny, was removed as interior minister this week, further straining relations between the rival factions.
The 2018 peace agreement, which ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, remains unimplemented. Ethnic divisions and sporadic violence have persisted, raising fears of renewed large-scale conflict.
UN urges immediate ceasefire as civilian toll rises
The United Nations has called for an immediate halt to hostilities in Jonglei and other violence-affected regions. Kiki Gbeho, acting head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), appealed to leaders to "cease hostilities, de-escalate tensions, and pursue reconciliation through inclusive dialogue."
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan echoed these concerns, citing reports of airstrikes in Jonglei that have killed civilians, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced communities. Commission chair Yasmin Sooka described the situation as deeply alarming.
Rebel warnings spark panic in Juba
SPLA-IO's acting chief of staff, Lieutenant General Peter Thok Chuol Luak, issued a warning earlier this month, stating that attacks near Juba were imminent. "All citizens in outlying areas should evacuate or remain indoors," he advised. The governor of Juba's state, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, dismissed the threats, urging residents to stay calm.
Historical context: A fragile peace
South Sudan's conflict began in 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. The subsequent war devastated the young nation, which gained independence in 2011. Despite the 2018 peace deal, mistrust between Kiir and Machar has persisted, with both sides accusing the other of violating agreements.
