Disputed Troop Surrender Statement
South Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Abdelbagi, startled observers last week by announcing he had handed over more than 3,000 combatants allegedly loyal to his leadership within the South Sudan Patriotic Movement and the wider opposition alliance.
SSPM Stands By Peace Agreement Procedures
Within hours, SSPM branded the declaration “false and misleading,” insisting Abdelbagi has never held field command and therefore cannot speak for troops whose integration is governed by the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Political Fallout After February Dismissal
Party chairman Dr. Costello Garang Ring Lual had already dismissed Abdelbagi on 20 February 2025, a move later endorsed by the South Sudan Opposition Alliance, stripping the minister of any political or military authority inside the coalition.
Government Response and Next Steps
Government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny told local media that Juba had welcomed the fighters, yet officials offered no details on verification. Observers say the episode highlights lingering tensions over force unification even as cantonment and screening continue under international monitoring.