JUBA – The South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) have clashed over a range of directives from the national army, including an order to return to the training centers.
Late Monday, the SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces called on the rank and file of SPLA-IO to resume their duties, especially those who fled the prolonged political and security onslaughts.
“The SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces, would like to renew calls for the rank and file of the SPLA-IO soldiers, specifically, those who had gone into hiding and the ones scattered all over to report to the nearest government/SSPDF outposts/barracks in order to resume their normal duties,” read a statement circulated by Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the Spokesperson of SSPDF.
The order further directed SPLA-IO forces around Juba to report to Digali Training Center for further directives, urging SSPDF to cease all forms of hostilities towards “friendly SPLA-IO forces at designated cantonment areas” and individuals going about their normal businesses.
In response to the order, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO Spokesperson, expressed shock over the directive, which also calls for voluntary submission and registration of firearms, terming it a misplaced command assumption by SSPDF leadership.
“The SPLA-IO read with dismay a document trending the social media from the SSPDF requesting the SPLA-IO forces to report to a nearest government or SSPDF outposts or barracks to resume their normal duties,” Mr. Paul wrote in a statement seen by Sudans Post.
“Secondly, the SSPDF also gave Individual gun owners one month to register their guns and voluntarily hand over their guns to concerned authorities. This is completely a misplaced assumption of command by the SSPDF,” added the spokesman.
In the same letter dated 07/04/2025, the SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces also banned the unauthorized movement of security personnel with individual or unit firearms while exempting individuals or units on official mission on presentation of authenticated departure order.
Individuals or units in transit with firearms and without departure order, the directive warns, will have their weapons confiscated and face both administrative and punitive measures depending on the nature of the offence committed.
In a show of defiance, Paul said: “The SSPDF doesn’t in any way command or influence the SPLA-IO forces and armed civilians under its areas of control.”
“The SPLA-IO, therefore, directs all its forces and armed civilians in its controlled areas to remain armed and vigilant at all times as the SSPDF has already waged a full-scale war against the peace and citizens of South Sudan,” added Paul.
The statement by Mr Ruai threatened consequences for those who declined to cooperate and obey the order regardless of political or military affiliations.
“After registration, gun owners are directed to voluntarily hand over their guns to concerned authorities at previous designated registration centers. Failure to voluntarily handover registered guns would result in the conduct of forceful disarmament,” he stated.
The exchanges between the military officers come amid political turbulence and security volatility surrounding many parts of South Sudan, including the outskirts of the capital, Juba.
