7th June 2026

Opinion: What redeployment of NUF means to Upper Nile

My Name is Kenyi Yasin Abdallah, a South Sudanese-born Human rights lawyer currently based in the United States of America.

In a major development towards achieving peace and stability, the first deployment of Unified Forces in Upper State, the flashpoint of the civil war since 2013, is set to have a profound impact on the rule of law, governance, and security in the country’s transition democracy.

This deployment also carries a message of hope for internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in UN Protection of Civilians sites, encouraging them to return to their original homes with the promise of calm and the elimination of fear of reprisal based on ethnicity.

The deployment of Unified Forces in the Upper State is a crucial step towards upholding the rule of law.

By consolidating various armed groups into a unified force, this deployment ensures that all individuals, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds, are subject to the same legal framework.

It signifies a commitment to justice, accountability, and the prevention of human rights abuses.

The presence of Unified Forces in the Upper State sends a strong message that the era of impunity is coming to an end, and the restoration of trust in the legal system is on the horizon.

This deployment is also a significant stride towards strengthening governance structures in South Sudan’s transition to democracy.

By providing security and stability, the unified force enables government institutions to function effectively.

It represents a collective effort to rebuild governance mechanisms and deliver essential services to the population.

The presence of Unified Forces in Upper State instills confidence in the government’s ability to govern, fostering an environment where citizens can actively engage in the democratic process and contribute to the nation’s development.

One of the most notable impacts of this deployment is the assurance of security, which is crucial for the return of internally displaced persons to their original homes.

By consolidating armed groups and establishing a unified force, the deployment significantly reduces the risk of violence and conflicts.

This sends a powerful message to IDPs residing in UN Protection of Civilians sites, assuring them that the fear of reprisal based on ethnicity is no longer a barrier to their return. The deployment of Unified Forces in the Upper State instills hope and encourages IDPs to rebuild their lives in a calm and secure environment, fostering social cohesion and national unity.

This historic deployment sets the stage for a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.

It marks a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving the rule of law, governance, and security in the country’s transition to democracy. With the presence of Unified Forces in the Upper State, citizens can look forward to a future where justice prevails, governance is strengthened, and security is assured.

It is time for the IDPs and others to return to their original homes with the hope of a calm and inclusive society, where the fear of reprisal due to ethnicity no longer exists, and start to forge new lives to build the economy.

NOTE: The views in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Eye Radio’s editorial stance.

Nine survivors of Twic-Ngok clashes admitted to Wau Hosptial

A Wau-based reporter got access to nine survivors of the recent attack on the Ayuok military barrack in Twic of Warrap State who are being treated at Wau Teaching Hospital in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

On Monday, November 10, 2023, authorities in Warrap and Abyei Civil Society Organization issued separate statements accusing each side of cross-border attacks.

The statement by authorities in Warrap alleged that armed youth from the Abyei Administrative Area attacked a military barrack in Twic resulting in the death of 36 soldiers, three women, and three children.

According to Warrap Information Minister, the incident occurred on November 13th at around 4:00 pm north of Mayen Abun in Twic County.

William Wol said the attack was the fourth of its kind.

“On behalf of the Warrap state government, we condemned the deadly attack by the suspected armed youth from Abyei on the 13th at 4 pm in the SSPDF barrack in the northern direction of Mayian-Abon in Twic county,” Wol told Eye Radio in an interview on Wednesday.

“In the incident, 32 people were confirmed that have been killed including 3 women and 3 children, and also 36 people were wounded in the attack,” he said.

“This is the fourth time that the armed youth of Abyei attacking the SSPDF barrack was meant to protect both civilians in the area of Twic and Abyei.”

Meanwhile, in a press release issued by Abyei Civil Society, the armed militia of  disputed Titweng attacked civilians in Athony, Malual –Aleu and Kadhian villages in Abyei in date on November 13.

This, it says, resulted in the killing of 2 people and wounding of 7 others.

The Civil Society Organization condemned the continuation of attacks on Ngok Dinka areas by armed Twic youth.

Miyen Ayuong, the secretary of Information for the Abyei Civil Society Organization called on the government to exert more pressure on UNISFA to adhere to its mandate.

Some of them including four women who spoke to a Wau-based reporter say they were transported to the health facility on Sunday.

However, the victims sounded concerns that since they arrived in Wau, they have been facing difficulties in getting food and medicines due to financial constraints despite being admitted to the hospital.

William Majok Amal is one of the survivors following the attack on the military barrack.

“We were brought here on Sunday but till now, we don’t have anything.

“The hospital has done enough but no money, we don’t have food to eat. We need assistance because we are not able to get services, there is no money to dress these wounds, and everything here is money.

Two of the wounded woman Ayak Machok and Aluel Deng Deng have raised similar concerns.

 “Since we arrived here two days ago, we have not gotten any good things and even taking bathing, no shoes and clothes, as you have seen if somebody is taken to x-ray, it is not good when someone is necklet, sad Aluel.

“Let the government help us, we are very poor, we have been killed in Abyei, my husband, and the three others were killed, and it is only me remaining now without family members,’ she added.

Similarly, Ayak said “Here in Wau we don’t have soap, no treatment, no food, and no money, we are just vulnerable, ”

When contacted, Nixon Anthony who is the Director of Wau Teaching Hospital confirmed the admission of some wounded patients, but he was yet to get their details at the press time.

 

 

Stay out of politics, JBD tells redeployed NUF

The leadership of the Joint Defense Board has cautioned the military personnel against associating with political parties and engaging in political activities citing their role is to protect the territorial integrity of the country.

The SSPDF chief of Defense forces says soldiers do not have any link with politics but are there to adhere to the constitution, provide security, defend the nation and its interests, and support the peace-building effort.

General Santino Deng Wol adds that the newly deployed unified forces are no longer party soldiers but the South Sudanese people’s defense forces.

General Santino made the remarks during the deployment of the first phase of the Necessary Unified Forces in Juba yesterday.

“Starting from today, let no one among you leave being a soldier and go to discuss politics so politicians are the ones ruling the country, but the role of soldiers is to provide security for the country.

“I don’t want anyone among you to be part of the party or take part in politics, there is nothing like that.”

For his part, the co-chair of the joint defense Board echoed a similar call.

Gabriel D Both directed the deployed forces to stick to their mandate including adherence to the country’s constitution.

“Soldiers do not have a tribe; our tribe is our uniform. Now if somebody comes from outside and says I want a former IO soldier or that of SSPDFor SSOA, will the person I identify you, will it be impossible,” stressing that, “our mandate as army, is protection of our border and protect the country’s constitution.”

The 2018 revitalized peace agreement obligates the unity government to train and deploy 83,000 unified forces consisting of police, wildlife, prisons, intelligence, and military officers.

But so far 53, 000 have been trained and graduated.

The deployment of the unified forces is seen as critical for the conduct of South Sudan’s first-ever elections expected to take place in December next year.

Information Minister Michael Makuei says the forces deployed will help safeguard the conduct of general elections in December next year.

“We are going for elections and so it is your responsibility a full responsibility to make sure that there is peace and security. … These are the things you we expect you to do hopefully soon,” he said.

 

 

 

President Kiir appoints Brig. Gen. Aduot Ajang as Customs Service head

President Salva Kiir has appointed Brigadier General Aduot Ajang Aduot as the new Commissioner of Customs Service at the Revenue Authority

Brig. Gen Aduot’s appointment was made through a presidential decree announced on the state-owned TV SSBC on Wednesday.

The new Commissioner General has replaced Major General Akol Ayii Madut, who was dismissed from the position back in August 2022.

Gen. Akol was removed after the Economic Crisis Management Committee recommended to President Salva Kiir for removal of former customs officials due to allegations of corruption.

The Committee, led by Vice President James Wani Igga was tasked to manage the economic crisis and streamline the collection of non-oil revenues.

2 killed, ten wounded in attack on Jonglei’s Panyagor

At least two people were killed and about ten others injured during cattle raiding in Twic East County on Tuesday.

Major General Elia Cost, the State Police Commissioner says gunmen allegedly from Greater Pibor Administrative Area carried out an attack on Panyagor villagers  at around 3:00 PM.

“Yesterday [Tuesday] at 03:30 pm in the evening, a group of criminals came and attacked a cattle camp in Bidit that is Panyagor and looted the cattle and ran away.

“So the youth followed them and clashed with them, and they (attackers) killed two from Bidit and then wounded about ten people,” he said.

The attackers, according to the police official, raided about 500 heads of cattle.

But some of the looted cattle were recovered after the area youth and members of the organized forces pursued the attackers

“They managed to recover some of the cattle but others did not yet recover,” Gen. Costa added.

Morocco’s govt rejects 93 S. Sudanese scholarship nominees

The Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation has rejected the nomination of 93 South Sudanese students for the 2023/2024 scholarship over what it describes as ineligibility due to the seniority of their certificates, according to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology.

In a letter dated November 14, the Director of the Ministry said only seven students with certificates of 2022 or its equivalent got admitted to Morocco’s public Universities.

Dr. Justo Wani Jada said that the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation expressed willingness to receive new applications from students who obtained High School Certificates for 2022/2023 or its equivalent.

On this note, the Ministry of Higher Education has advertised the undergraduate scholarship.

It invites South Sudanese students who meet the requirements including a 2022/2023 secondary school certificate, a valid copy of passport, and medical fitness to apply.

However, applicants are required to pay 4000 pounds for the application form and administration fee.

 

JDB set to deploy NUF 1st batch Wednesday

The Chairperson of the National Transitional Committee has announced that the first phase of the deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces will begin on Wednesday morning.

In a letter addressed to media houses, Tut Gatluak, who also doubles as the Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs and Chair of the Joint Defense Board says the deployment will take place at Luri tomorrow morning.

Media houses and journalists have been invited to cover the event.

The first graduation for the Necessary Unified Forces ceremony was held on August 30, 2022.

But since then the forces have not been deployed despite several schedules were announced.

Abducted Zimbabwe opposition activist found dead

A Zimbabwe opposition activist who was abducted at the weekend while campaigning ahead of key by-elections has been found dead.

Tapfumanei Masaya’s body was found in a decomposed state on the outskirts of the capital Harare his party, the Citizens Coalition for Change said “We demand the police to investigate this heinous crime and bring the perpetrators to justice,” it said on X.

In a statement, the police confirmed the location of a body but said the identity of the dead person was yet to be established and more details would be released later.

The CCC says the activist had been forced into a vehicle by armed men on Saturday while campaigning for a party candidate ahead of the 9 December polls.

The by-elections are being held following what the party said was an “illegal and fraudulent” recall of its members.

Last month, over a dozen opposition MPs lost their seats after a man, who declared himself as the party’s interim secretary-general, said the MPs were no longer members.

The CCC now says the recall of its elected members had resulted “in the death of our change champion”.

The death of the activist follows a pattern of abductions of opposition politicians and human rights activists in Zimbabwe.

The CCC has blamed state agents for the violence against its members – which the ruling Zanu-PF party has denied.

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