The Office of the Acting Chief of General Staff for SPLA-IO, Lt. Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjok, has directed all forces under his command to remain in their current positions and avoid any confrontation with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces following a recent integration directive issued by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol Chok.

In an order dated May 12, 2026, Lt. Gen. Koang instructed SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces not to cross into each other’s areas or launch attacks, warning commanders against unauthorized troop movements.

“This is to inform all commanders to brief their forces to stay in one position,” the directive stated, adding that no force should leave its location without authorization from headquarters.

The order follows a directive issued on May 11 by SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol Chok directing former opposition groups that joined the government to remain on standby for possible reorganization and integration into the national army.

The Bilpam-issued directive instructed the affected groups to prepare for further communication regarding reporting to designated training centers for integration into the SSPDF structure.

The directive targeted several former opposition-allied forces that previously defected from rebellion and aligned themselves with the government.

The groups include Agwelek forces under Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony in Malakal, Lou-Nuer forces under commanders including Lt. Gen. Deng Yiech Thanypiny and Maj. Gen. Mabor Dhol, alongside forces operating in parts of Bahr el Ghazal, Unity State, and the Equatoria region.

President Salva Kiir recently reappointed Santino Deng Wol Chok as Chief of Defence Forces as part of a broader military reshuffle aimed at stabilizing the country’s security sector.

The integration of rival armed groups into a unified national army remains one of the key outstanding provisions of the peace agreement.