The South Sudan government has warned the White Army to leave military zones in Nasir to avoid military action amid escalating tensions. Accusations of warfare against the SSDF have arisen following violent clashes. The United Nations has compared the situation to the events leading to the 2015 civil war, raising concerns about regional stability and external military support from Uganda for President Kiir.
The government of South Sudan has issued a firm ultimatum to the White Army, a militia group associated with the Nuer ethnic community, demanding their immediate evacuation from the Nasir military zones. This order extends to all assembly areas related to the group amid rising tensions stemming from violent clashes between the White Army and government forces in the Upper Nile region.
Accusations have surfaced against the White Army for waging war against the South Sudanese Defence Forces (SSDF), particularly highlighted by recent violent incidents in Nasir that resulted in a UN crew member and a SSPDF general losing their lives. Information Minister Michael Makuei emphasized the urgency of the evacuation, stating, “The White Army that claims to be civilians… must go back to their respective home before we take any action.”
Furthermore, Makuei warned that civilians refusing to vacate military zones would be treated as combatants. The White Army captured Nasir on March 3, presiding over strategic positions along the border with Ethiopia, intensifying clashes with government forces, which have included airstrikes aimed at disrupting any potential air supply routes for the militia.
UN officials have raised alarms about escalating tensions in South Sudan, drawing parallels to the lead-up to the 2015 civil war, sparked by political disputes between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. The ongoing conflict has heightened fears for the fragile peace agreement in the country, with Machar alleging that the government is clamping down on dissent. He claimed, “I am probably the first vice president in the world who has been under house arrest for seven years and is still active in the government.”
Support for President Kiir has been notably vocal from Uganda, where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus has sanctioned the deployment of Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) into South Sudan, asserting that it aims to restore stability. Uganda’s military chief, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, declared that any aggression against Kiir would be regarded as an act of war against Uganda, illustrating the heightened regional security dynamics amidst the ongoing crisis.
In summary, South Sudan’s government has issued a stringent warning to the White Army, demanding their withdrawal from military zones amid increasing clashes. The potential escalation of conflict echoes past civil war events, raising concerns about the stability of peace agreements. Uganda’s military support for President Kiir further complicates the geopolitical landscape, indicating a growing regional crisis that warrants close attention from the international community.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
