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

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‎ 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...
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#Opinion: No one is plotting to assassinate Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the Suspended First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.

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By Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth


September 27, 2025.


Someone needs to tell my friend, Nathaniel Oyet Pierrino, the Acting Chairman and C-in-C of SPLM/SPLA IO, that issuing false and unfounded allegations is both irresponsible and reckless. Making such statements amounts to incitement and war-mongering, which only undermines peace and stability in our country.


The accusation that there is a plot to kill Dr. Riek Machar Teny was directed at H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, two unnamed Vice Presidents, and a former Minister of Petroleum who was also not named. 


The SPLM/SPLA IO people have rushed to assume that the two Vice Presidents are H.E. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel and H.E. Taban Deng Gai, and that the unnamed former Minister of Petroleum is myself, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth. 


This assumption is misleading and baseless, considering that South Sudan has had many Vice Presidents and several former Ministers of Petroleum.


Let me be absolutely clear: Dr. Riek Machar Teny, myself, and many others were protected by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, during the July 2016 fighting at J1(State House). H.E. President Kiir has never believed in assassinations or political murders. On the contrary, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to protecting lives, even in the most difficult circumstances like the one of July 2016 J1 fight.


Today, Dr. Riek Machar Teny remains under the protection of the Presidential Guard. His security is fully guaranteed. H.E. President Kiir has issued strict instructions to the soldiers assigned to his safety, making it clear that nothing should compromise Dr. Riek Machar’s protection.


What is happening in Juba today is purely a legal process involving Dr. Riek Machar Teny and other accused persons. Their issues are being addressed in a court of law. There is no basis whatsoever to fear for the physical safety of any of them.


I therefore strongly urge the public to disregard the false and malicious claims being circulated by Nathaniel Oyet Pierrino. Such fabrications serve no purpose other than to incite division, create fear, and undermine peace, unity, and the rule of law in South Sudan.

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

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‎ 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...
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