Bor Appearance Challenges Pajut Death Claims
Major General Gabriel Bol Anuer, a commander in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, appeared publicly on Sunday in Bor, the capital of Jonglei State. His appearance came after widespread rumours that he had been killed during fighting linked to the capture of Pajut by opposition forces.
SSPDF Officer Rejects Reports in Public Remarks
At the headquarters of the SSPDF 8th Infantry Division at Malual Chaat in Bor, Lt. Col. Khot Mayen stood alongside Bol Anuer while addressing the claims. “Bol is not dead… This person is still alive… This is him with me,” Khot Mayen said, according to remarks reported from the event.
Timeline Around Pajut and the Withdrawal
Reports of Bol Anuer’s death circulated after fighters from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition overran Pajut, described as a strategic settlement on the main route linking northern Jonglei to Bor. Earlier reporting by Sudans Post said Bol Anuer had evacuated Pajut about 30 minutes before it fell (Sudans Post).
Footage Geolocation Adds Detail to Verification
The footage of Bol Anuer’s appearance was geolocated to the meeting hall of the SSPDF 8th Infantry Division headquarters in Malual Chaat, Bor, Jonglei State. The reported coordinates were 6°09′32.16″N, 31°34′40.12″E, supporting the account that he addressed the rumours from Bor.
Jonglei Security Worries and Government Response
The rumours emerged as security conditions in Jonglei were described as rapidly deteriorating. The fall of Pajut heightened fears of further advances toward Bor, and the government deployed reinforcements to the area, according to the same reporting.
Renewed Fighting and a Fragile Peace Framework
South Sudan has seen renewed fighting in recent weeks in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states, prompting concern among regional and international actors about the risk of wider escalation. The country remains fragile more than seven years after the 2018 peace deal formally ended the civil war.
Limited Official Detail and Competing Claims
The government army has not issued a detailed account of the fighting in Pajut or the circumstances of the withdrawal. Independent verification of battlefield claims linked control of the area to the SPLA-IO, underlining how quickly contested information can shape public perceptions during fast-moving security developments.