South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
Over 400 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) officers have been confirmed killed in clashes with the White Army militia since intense fighting erupted in early March,2025 in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
The Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro, told journalists on Saturday that the soldiers were killed when the White Army attacked and overran Nasir barracks.
“On 4 March 2025, the White Army launched a brutal attack, resulting in the deaths of over 400 SSPDF personnel, including their commander Maj. Gen David Majur Dak. This tragic incident triggered political crisis and posed a serious threat to the implementation of peace agreement,” Lomuro said during a press conference in Juba.
“On 3rd March 2025, the Presidency convened an extended meeting to address the worsening security situation. During this meeting, it was confirmed that Dr. Riek Machar was in communication with key figures in the area, including the paramount chief, youth leaders and SPLM/A-IO commanders,” he disclosed.
The fighting in Nasir caused the arrests of First Vice President and Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in opposition (SPLM/A-IO) Riek Machar and his allies such as the SSPDF Deputy Chief of Staff, Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, Puot Kang Chol, Minister pf Petroleum and other officials.
The transitional unity government led by President Salva Kiir accuses Machar and his detained allies of stirring rebellion, but the SPLM/A-IO has denied this claiming it’s political witch hunt against it’s ranks and files.
Lomuro noted that the Nasir fighting was a grave setback to the peace process and a stark reminder of the fragility of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (RARCSS).
He added that the killings of SSPDF personnel by the White Army, and the unresolved affiliations between armed community groups and political movements, reveal critical gaps in trust, security sector reform and political coherence.
