Investigative: Unveiling the forces fueling the southern Unity State conflict

LEER – A potentially catastrophic confrontation brewed on Wednesday between South Sudan’s key factions, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), in southern Unity State’s Leer County.

The tense situation revolves around the recent activities of Gen. Simon Maguek Gai, a former SPLA-IO sector two commander in Unity State, who defected to the SSPDF and stationed himself in Leer early last month.

His aim appeared twofold: bolstering his influence and rallying support in the area.

In exclusive discussions with Sudans Post, armed youths from Koch County, Leer, and Mayendit revealed their mobilization, allegedly for recruitment into the SSPDF. The agenda? Displacing SPLA-IO forces in Rubkong.

Following the displacement of SPLA-IO forces from Mirmir Payam in Koch County last year by a joint armed youth and SSPDF contingent, SPLA-IO struggled without a stable base until they established Rubkong as an alternate cantonment site last month.

One armed youth from Koch County disclosed that they awaited orders to assault Rubkong, citing Gen. Maguek’s defection and a quest for recognition and promotion from President Salva Kiir Mayardit as driving motives.

However, a sudden intervention from unidentified individuals associated with the international community interrupted their plans, directing them to stand down temporarily.

“Maguek defected without troops from anyone in southern Unity State and for him to form a force so that he is promoted by President Salva Kiir, we were mobilized by the Commissioner of Koch County to go to Leer. We have been in Leer for two days and we were preparing to go on an attack,” he said on condition of anonymity.

“Our main objective was that if we succeed in recapturing Rubkong, we will be recognized as an official force of the SSPDF and that was the objective of General Guek Guek (Simon Maguek Gai). But we did not attack because some people from the International Community came and we were told to return back until we are called again,” he said.

Another youth who identified himself as Chol, admitted to joining the armed mobilization under duress, fearing arrest.

He narrated the arrests of three individuals, including an SPLA-IO captain who was on leave, by Mayendit Commissioner Gatluak Nyang for refusing to join Gen. Maguek’s initiative and engage in the Rubkong operation.

While these volatile events unfolded, questions loomed regarding Gen. Maguek’s motivations and backers.

Prior to his defection on October 7, 2023, Maguek remained untraceable to the SPLM-IO leadership in Juba for several days, signaling a clandestine shift in allegiance. Sources revealed a series of meetings between Gen. Maguek, Unity State Governor Nguen Manytuil, and SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both.

These discussions aimed to convince Gen. Maguek to amass SPLA-IO forces in Leer, a strategic stronghold of Machar’s loyalists, and align them with the SSPDF.

According to the sources close to both Unity State governor and Maguek, secret meetings occurred at Unity State coordination office in Juba on October 4, October 5, and October 6.

On October 7, 2023, the day he announced his defection to the SSPDF, Maguek arrived at the SPLM House in Juba in the same car with Unity State governor.

Gen. Maguek officially announced his defection during the 7 October event, publicly donning military attire at the SPLM party headquarters in Juba, flanked by Governor Nguen Manytuil and SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both.

A close aide to Maguek detailed the former SPLA-IO commander’s departure from Juba to Leer on October 12, facilitated with a flight and an alleged monetary package of $8,000.

The source said the money was given in a white envelope by a security officer who he said he believe is close to the Unity State governor on the evening of October 10, where he was also informed of the flight schedule.

“I was there and Maguek was there. Som community leaders who had come to convince him to dismiss his decision were also there. It was at around 8:00PM.,” the source said. “This officer I couldn’t recognize him because it was very dark, and he handed the envelope to Maguek standing. He said it was a letter coming from the higher authorities, but it was money.”

Maguek would travel two days later to Leer accompanied by other defectors such as Gen. Dok Wanjang, a former senior SPLA-IO commander in southern Unity.

His arrival in Leer resulted in tensions between SPLA-IO and SSPDF. On October 12, the same day Maguek arrived in Leer, a Sudans Post reporter who was travelling to Muom training center was prevented from exiting the town by police security officers on the ground.

The security officers told Sudans Post that forces loyal to General Simon Maguek in Muom were making a move to take over the site. The Sudans Post reporter would on October 14 reach Muom and found that the site was actually empty as most soldiers had deserted to look for food.

Another source who stepped back during last minutes of Maguek’s defection implicated a group including Governor Nguen Manytuil, SPLM Secretary-General Peter Lam Both, Leer County Commissioner Taker Riak Dong, Koch Commissioner Koang Biel, and Mayendit Commissioner Gatluak Nyang as the orchestrators behind Gen. Maguek’s defection and activities in Leer.

That source said Maguek “was offered a mansion in Kenya and Juba” and said “it was this fact that he eventually agreed to defect. But I refused to join him because I have seen how defectors are being treated at the end of a one-month period in which you will be put in a hotel, but expelled is that period elapsed.

On Friday, November 24, 2023, residents of Leer were still expressing concerns over the ominous presence of armed youth linked to last year’s violent clashes, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties and horrific incidents of sexual violence.