SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

-
Image
‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...
Post a Comment

VP Taban Breaks Silence on Machar Arrest: “Let the Law Decide” ‎

-




‎South Sudan’s Vice President Gen. Taban Deng Gai has assured citizens that the peace agreement signed in 2018 remains strong, despite the recent house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. 

‎

‎Speaking during a visit to Unity State on Saturday, Gai said Machar’s detention is a legal issue not a political move.

‎

‎“The arrest of Dr. Riek Machar should not be seen as a threat to peace,” Gai told a gathering in Rubkona County. “He will go through legal proceedings, and the law will determine whether he has done anything wrong.”

‎

‎President Salva Kiir ordered the house arrest of Machar in late March, accusing him of involvement in recent violence in Nasir County, Upper Nile State. 

‎

‎The move has sparked concerns among Machar’s supporters and raised fears of renewed conflict in his home region.

‎

‎VP Taban, who leads the Infrastructure Cluster in the unity government, is part of the power-sharing arrangement formed after the five-year civil war. His visit aimed to calm tensions in Unity State and deliver a peace message from President Kiir.

‎

‎“Our president has made it clear we should never return to war,” Taban said. “Our next fight must be against poverty, ignorance, disease, and hunger.”

‎

‎Addressing local grievances, VP Taban urged Nuer communities including the Bul, Leek, and Jikany to settle disputes through legal channels instead of violence. He warned against politicians who use ethnic divisions to gain power.

‎

‎“Communities must reject leaders who incite hatred. Peace and development benefit us all,” he added.

‎

‎Paramount Chief Chiloak Puok of the Leek Nuer welcomed Gai’s remarks but called for fair distribution of services. “We will support peace,” Puok said, “but development must reach all communities equally. President Kiir is the leader of all tribes.”

‎

‎The situation remains tense, but Vice President Gai’s visit signals the government’s effort to contain the crisis and reassure the public that peace is still the top priority.

Comments

  1. Anonymous11 May 2025 at 10:53

    I don't know if people still know the definition of peace while Nuer people are being bomb 💣

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

-
Image
‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...
Read more

Governor Rabi Mujung Dismisses Juba City Mayor, Appoints New Leadership Team ‎

-
Image
‎Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony Mujung has made sweeping changes in the Juba City Council leadership, dismissing Mayor Johnson Swaka and his two deputies, Thiik Thiik and Juma Moses Michael. ‎ ‎In a gubernatorial decree issued on Friday, Christopher Sarafino Wani Swaka was appointed as the new Mayor of Juba City, taking over from the outgoing Swaka. ‎ ‎The new leadership team includes Jenifer Yabu Lasuba as Deputy Mayor for Administration and Finance, Lual Joseph Deng as Deputy Mayor for Social Services, and Stephen Lomude Martin as Deputy Mayor for Environment and Waste Management. ‎ ‎Governor Mujung said the changes are aimed at enhancing service delivery, strengthening city management, and improving coordination between the state government and the city council. ‎ ‎The reshuffle marks one of the most significant administrative shake-ups in Juba’s recent history, as the new team is expected to tackle persistent challenges such as waste management, urban planni...
Read more

SSPDF Airstrikes Hit SPLA-IO Positions in Jur River County (WBGS)

-
Image
‎ ‎Date: October 14, 2025 ‎Location: Jur River County, Western Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan ‎ ‎The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) launched pre-dawn airstrikes today against positions held by the SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Jur River County, prompting panic among local residents who fled their homes in fear of escalating violence.  ‎ ‎Strikes in Kuanya & Jebel Teak ‎According to witnesses, the bombing began around 3:00 a.m. in the Kuanya area, targeting territory under opposition control.  ‎ Read:  Video Showing Over 1,000 SPLA-IO Fighters Defect to SSPDF in Ayod County Some residents believe the strike may have been aimed at the home of SPLA-IO General Bol Wek, who was wounded in a previous engagement.  ‎A displaced man, speaking anonymously, described scenes of confusion and terror as families fled Jebel Teak and surrounding villages: ‎ ‎“We were shocked they are using airstrikes in civilian-populated areas We have left our homes I am quite sure ...
Read more