SSPDF, SPLA-IO to hold talks on illegal checkpoints along Nile River

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) plans to engage the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) to agree on the removal of illegal checkpoints along the Nile River.
Maj.Gen Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF spokesperson

By Simon Deng

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) plans to engage the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) to agree on the removal of illegal checkpoints along the Nile River.

 “We have not yet reached an agreement; the removal of checkpoints along the Nile River was not included in the 100 days action plan for the Chief of Defense Force. If we had included it, it would be a source of conflict,” said Koang on Sunday in an interview.

Koang revealed that the Nile River has over 50 checkpoints between Juba and Malakal.

He revealed 33 of these checkpoints are manned by the SPLA-IO.

“We have done an assessment and we have discovered that we in the SSPDF have 27 checkpoints along the Nile, SPLA-IO is having 33 and 2 checkpoints for Agwelek forces of Johnson Olony,” said Koang.

He said Gen. Johnson Olony who is integrated into SSPDF agreed last week with the SSPDF to dismantle the checkpoints controlled by his forces along the Nile.

 “We are still having difficulties; there is some resistance from the SPLA-IO on the removal of the checkpoints. The illegal checkpoints along the Nile will remain until a consensus is reached with SPLA-IO,” said Koang.

In 2024, President Salva Kiir Mayardit directed the SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Paul Nang Majok to remove illegal checkpoints along major high ways.

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