The response came after the Chief of Defence Forces declared that “the era of renewed hostilities” between government forces and SPLA-IO forces was over following his return to command of the army.
“Gen. Santino Deng Wol has just declared that the era of renewed hostilities between SSPDF and SPLA-IO rebels is over following his reappointment and resumption of command of the national army,” SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said.
He added that the army chief had “warmly and wholeheartedly” greeted his deputy, Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok, who is also serving as Acting SPLA-IO Chief of General Staff.
But SPLM/A-IO spokesperson and Chairperson of the National Committee for Information and Communication, Pal Mai Deng, said the ceasefire declaration alone was insufficient to end the escalating tensions.
“The new SSPDF Chief of Defence Force Gen. Santino Deng Wol’s unilateral ceasefire declaration between SPLA-IO forces and SSPDF, along with its proxies, is a good gesture and a sign of South Sudan’s return to dialogue, normalization and sustainable peace,” Pal Mai Deng said.
“However, the first step toward a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities is the immediate and unconditional release of the First Vice President and other political and military leaders of SPLM/A-IO.”
He stressed that without meeting that condition, prospects for a ceasefire remained slim.
“Without fulfilling this condition first, the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities is not within reach,” he added.
The opposition’s position mirrors recommendations contained in the Declaration of the C5-Plus Summit, which called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of Machar and other detainees.
The summit also proposed the appointment of a high-level envoy to oversee implementation of the revitalised peace agreement, accelerate the unification of forces under transitional security arrangements, harmonise peace initiatives, and facilitate inclusive political dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s political deadlock.
The latest exchange comes as South Sudan’s ceasefire monitoring body warns that the fragile 2018 peace agreement is facing mounting pressure.
In February 2026, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) reported 407 alleged ceasefire violations between August 2025 and January 2026.
Speaking during a technical committee meeting in Juba on Thursday, CTSAMVM Chairperson Teshome Anagawe Ayana said the peace agreement was “under significant strain,” with the permanent ceasefire no longer consistently holding in several parts of the country.
“Agreements are upheld not by signatures, but through consistent compliance. Protection of civilians must be unconditional, and ceasefire adherence must be uniform,” Ayana said.
He described the violence in Nasir in March 2025 as a turning point, noting that insecurity later spread across Upper Nile, Unity, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Jonglei states.
According to CTSAMVM, clashes between forces loyal to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and SPLM/A-IO have become increasingly frequent since the Nasir incident, with shifting territorial control reported in several areas.
Ayana said investigations into the reported violations are ongoing despite operational challenges.
The tensions come amid renewed political uncertainty following changes announced by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday.
State broadcaster SSBC announced that Kiir had dismissed Finance Minister Salvatore Garang Mabior and removed Gen. Paul Nang Majok as Chief of Defence Forces, although no reasons were provided for the reshuffle.
Kiir appointed Kuol Daniel Ayulo as the new Minister of Finance and Planning.
He also reappointed Gen. Santino Deng Wol as army chief. Santino previously served as Chief of Defence Forces from April 2021 until December 2024. Meanwhile, Gen. Paul Nang Majok was reassigned as Undersecretary for Veteran Affairs.
