Fear and Hope in Juba: 623 Arrested in Battle Against Gang Violence

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‎ ‎Central Equatoria State (CES) security forces have arrested 623 individuals suspected of affiliation with notorious street gangs in Juba as part of a sweeping anti-crime operation across the capital . ‎ ‎The suspects are allegedly linked to high-profile gangs such as 4SG Slime, West Coast, ODA, Killers Gang, Black Devils, among others. ‎ ‎While detailed profiles of the detainees remain pending, officials emphasize the operation is in direct response to a recent surge in heinous criminal activity including a particularly disturbing gang rape in the Shirikat area of Juba, which sparked national outrage and hastened the crackdown.  ‎ ‎In the wake of the arrests, CES Governor Rabi Emmanuel Mujung has renewed calls for reformatory schools aimed at providing vocational training and rehabilitation for youth implicated in gang activities. ‎ ‎This includes proposals for a holistic strategy pairing enforcement with social and mental health support a key element raised during recent securi...

SPLM-IO Faction Reaffirms Machar’s Leadership, Warns of Strain on Peace Deal ‎


FVP Dr. Riek Machar 

A faction within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) has strongly reaffirmed its allegiance to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, despite his current house arrest and rising internal divisions. 

‎This comes in response to recent claims by Stephen Par Kuol, a senior SPLM-IO official, who two months ago declared himself interim leader of the party.

‎In a public statement, members of the SPLM-IO Political Bureau declared Par Kuol's assertion “null and void,” reiterating that Machar remains the legitimate leader of the movement. 

‎The group emphasized that although the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is under immense pressure, it has not collapsed.

‎Analysis: A Party in Turmoil, a Peace Deal in Peril

‎This development highlights the growing cracks within the SPLM-IO, a key signatory to the peace agreement that ended South Sudan’s brutal civil war. 

‎The internal power struggle, especially at a time when Machar is physically restricted and politically isolated, threatens to destabilize not only the SPLM-IO but the broader peace framework.

‎Stephen Par Kuol's attempt to assume leadership could be interpreted as an opportunistic move in the absence of Machar’s active political engagement. 

‎However, the swift and public rejection by other SPLM-IO leaders signals that Machar still commands considerable loyalty within the movement.

‎The political bureau’s emphasis that the peace deal is being tested “more than ever” is a sobering reminder of the fragile state of the agreement. 

‎Key provisions including the unification of forces, constitutional making, and the conduct of elections remain unfulfilled. With general elections expected in 2024 (now likely delayed), political uncertainty is deepening.

‎Call for Dialogue and International Support

‎The SPLM-IO faction is now calling for a renewed dialogue between President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar South Sudan’s most prominent political rivals whose cooperation is central to the peace process. 

‎They have also appealed to regional and international bodies to intervene, particularly to ensure the release of detained SPLM-IO members and revive the stalled peace implementation mechanisms.

‎This plea underscores the growing concern that the country could backslide into conflict if political grievances remain unresolved and the transitional government continues to stall reforms.

‎What’s at Stake

‎The house arrest of FVP Dr. Machar a figure instrumental in both war and peace raises critical questions about the state of political pluralism and power-sharing in South Sudan. 

‎His confinement, coupled with reports of harassment and arbitrary detentions of opposition figures, points to a shrinking political space. If not addressed, these trends could undermine the credibility of the transitional government and trigger further instability.

‎With the political climate becoming increasingly volatile, the role of regional bodies such as IGAD and the African Union, as well as international partners, becomes even more vital. 

‎Their silence or inaction at this critical juncture could signal a retreat from the peace process, leaving South Sudanese citizens to bear the brunt of elite rivalries once again.

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