JUBA – Violent clashes broke out on Thursday morning in Maiwut County of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State when local armed youth, known as the White Army, attacked a South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) military outpost in Jekow.
The attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least five soldiers, has escalated tensions in the in what is increasingly becoming a restive state.
According to local humanitarian sources and youth members, the fighting began around 5:00 AM local time when a group of armed youth launched an assault on the SSPDF position.
A humanitarian worker, who spoke to Sudans Post on condition of anonymity, provided insight into the lead-up to the attack, revealing that local residents had reported previous military activities in the area.
“We heard from the local people in villages around Jekow yesterday that there was a SSPDF contingent that went out to disarm civilians,” the source said. “When they found that the youth had left, they took cattle as fine from the elders who were left in the villages.”
“So, this morning, the youth came in large numbers and attacked a military outpost in Jekow, killing around five soldiers. This attack began at around 5:00 AM South Sudan local time, and up to now, clashes could still be heard around the area. We don’t know who is defeating whom,” the source added.
Separate local sources further confirmed that combat activities between the local youth and the SSPDF continue in the area, though it remains unclear which side holds the upper hand as of 9:00AM.
In an interview with Sudans Post, General Dickson Gatluak, leader of the South Sudan United Front (SSUF) Nairobi Declaration, confirmed that the White Army was behind the assault. He explained that the attack was intended to prevent further military movements by the SSPDF in the region.
Gatluak described the events leading up to the attack, detailing that the youth acted under their instructions to stop the “unnecessary” movement of government forces. He claimed that the SSPDF had been harassing civilians in the area, which he claimed provoked the White Army’s actions.
“Exactly this morning at around 5 AM, the White Army, mainly from Gajaak in eastern Jekow, launched a surprise attack on the government position in Joko town, located at the Ethiopian border,” he said.
Gatluak explained that the White Army’s attack was a response to the SSPDF’s recent movements, specifically their alleged plans to expand their presence in the Turow and Jekow areas. He claimed that the government forces had been steadily increasing their deployment from Pagak to Turow and Jekow over the last two days.
“We have been monitoring their movement,” Gatluak said. “The SSPDF, as you know, these are the forces that have failed miserably to listen to their command. They have been harassing civilians for the last two days in a place called Kalkich and along the Jekow river.”
He further accused the SSPDF of arresting and intimidating civilians in the eastern Jekow region, particularly those harvesting farm produce along the Sobat River.
“They have been arresting civilians and trying to intimidate them, claiming that the White Army is attacking them, which is not true,” he added.
Gatluak warned that the conflict was far from over, emphasizing that the White Army was rallying additional forces for a more significant offensive. He indicated that the largest section of the White Army, which had yet to join the fighting, would soon join forces to push the SSPDF out of Joko and Pagak, a former base belonging to the main armed opposition SPLA-IO.
“This is just the beginning, and the war will continue,” Gatluak declared. “The biggest sections of the White Army from Gajaak, mainly from Ciewau, Ciereng, and Cienyejani, and the rest, will join the fight. They will make a joint force, and they will make the final push. We demand that the government forces evacuate Joko and Pagak before things get worse.”
He warned that, due to the remote location of Jekow and Pagak, the government forces would have no reinforcements if the situation escalated.
“Pagak and Jekow are in the far east, close to the Ethiopia border,” Gatluak said. “They will not have any reinforcements. There will be no one to reinforce them if the war comes to worse.”
Gatluak also made it clear that, while the South Sudan United Front had not yet joined the fight, they were fully supportive of the White Army’s actions. He explained that the opposition group stood in solidarity with the youth, emphasizing the right of the Nuer community to self-defense.
“We have not joined the fight yet, but we are in full support of the White Army,” he stated. “If it is necessary for us to join, we will join. But for now, we are just watching and hoping that the government will reconsider their actions. These are the same citizens that voted for President Kiir. They will also be the ones who decide the future of this country.”
Despite the escalating violence, Gatluak urged residents in the region to remain calm and avoid panic. He reassured the public that the White Army was targeting military positions and that civilian areas would not be harmed unless they were directly involved in the fighting.
