The White Army in South Sudan has denied any affiliation with Dr. Riek Machar’s SPLA-in Opposition following their victory over government forces in Nasir. They assert their purpose is to protect their community amid continued violence from the SSPDF. Tensions rise as arrests occur in Juba, following accusations against the military’s actions towards civilians.
The White Army, a dominant tribal militia in South Sudan, has officially denied any alliance with the SPLA-in Opposition, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. Following a recent confrontation where the White Army claimed control of Nasir in Upper Nile State after defeating South Sudan government forces, the situation has created ripples of uncertainty and tension in Juba. In response, government officials accused the SPLA-IO of fueling the White Army’s advances, leading to subsequent arrests.
During a press conference in Juba, Michael Makuei, the South Sudan Minister of Information, presented recordings that purportedly captured White Army members expressing support for the SPLA-IO. The White Army responded with a statement clarifying, “Let it be made clear that we do not belong to SPLM/A-IO, nor do we have any association with Dr. Riek Machar or any other individual affiliated with the SPLA-IO.”
Although Dr. Machar shares ethnic ties to the White Army’s members, tensions in South Sudan remain polarized primarily between the Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups. The White Army emphasized their formation is to protect their people, stating, “We are not a political movement—we are civilians, young men who have taken up arms to protect our people when the government fails to do so.”
Furthermore, the militia accused the national army (SSPDF) of committing severe atrocities against civilians in Nasir County, including rape and murder. They declared that their confrontation with the SSPDF stemmed from the military’s violence against the local community rather than any political alignment. High tensions in Juba have escalated as military forces have reportedly surrounded Machar’s residence, and notable figures such as Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam and the Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang, have been arrested.
In summary, the White Army has distanced itself from the SPLA-in Opposition, asserting its existence as a protective civilian entity rather than a politically motivated militia. Accusations of violence against the national army have heightened the already strained relations within South Sudan, particularly with the siege on Machar’s residence in Juba. The ongoing conflict underscores the delicate and complex ethnic dynamics in the region.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
