Kiir expels Nuer spiritual leader Gai Machiek from Warrap state

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Tuesday ordered local authorities in Warrap State to expel prominent Nuer spiritual leader, Gai Machiek, and Nuer youths from the area in a bid to quell escalating violence between Twic Mayardit and Ngok Dinka communities.

Kiir’s directive, seen by Sudans Post, also demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities between the two communities and the deployment of neutral security forces to conflict-affected areas.

Tensions have flared in recent month in Abyei Special Administrative Area where local authorities have accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSDPFF), Nuer youth belonging to Gai Machiek and Twic Mayardit youth of launching attacks.

Fighting in early December left dozens of people dead. On the new year’s eve, the deputy chief administrator of the disputed territory was ambushed and killed by suspected armed youth from Twic Mayardit in Warrap State.

In the order released yesterday, Kiir called for cessation of hostility between the two communities and called for the security forces to expel Machiek and the allied armed youth from the area.

“That there must be immediate cessation of hostilities by both communities,” the president said referring to the Twic and Dinka Ngok communities. “The security forces must ensure that Gai Machiek the Nuer Spiritual Leader is expelled from Ajak Kuac area in Warrap State and peacefully returned to Unity State or moved to another state of his choice within the Bahr el Ghazal region other than Warrap and Abyei Special Administrative Area.”

The head of state further called for deployment of security forces to prevent further violence between the two communities and ordered for the apprehension of anyone who would be found inciting violence between the two communities.

“The security forces must also ensure that the Nuer youths present in Twic and Ngok areas are moved back to the Nuer land or away from the area of conflict of states such as Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bhar el Ghazal or Lakes,” it said.

Gai is a spiritual leader from Unity State’s Mayom County. He left Unity State in 2021 following claims by local authorities that he is loyal to rebel leader and former army officer. Those claims followed calls from the local authorities for Gai to convince his men to join the army.

He then left the state and fled to Warrap State’s Ajak Kuac Payam following attempts to confiscate his cattle at Bieh Nyang Payam of Mayom County.

In December, Gai told Sudans Post that he is not involved in the ongoing conflict between Twic and Ngok Dinka Communities.

This was after an attack on Abyei, that killed 32 people, was blamed on him and the then SSPDF Division 3 Commander Akuei Ajou.