Security Forces Reclassify Vigilantes
South Sudan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Dr. Paul Nang Majok, announced in Juba that the Red Belt vigilante network is now treated as a rebel organisation (The Dawn Newspaper, 29 Oct 2025).
His declaration follows a week-long display of confiscated rifles, PKM machine guns and uniforms collected during a capital-wide search operation.
From Market Patrols to Armed Raids
The Red Belt began as community patrols in Jonglei State, but witnesses say its fighters recently stormed Marol market, robbed traders and exchanged fire with National Security Service officers.
Members wear a green smock, army trousers and desert boots, mirroring regular troops and blurring civilian trust.
Government’s Legal Rationale
Gen. Majok argued that only the state may wield organised force, citing constitutional clauses assigning the military to border defence, civilian protection and public-property security.
“No one can claim to guard his own family with heavy weapons,” he told reporters, framing the Red Belt’s structure—ranks, slogans and cells—as “a rebellion in everything but name”.
Next Steps and Regional Implications
Spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said operations chief Lt. Gen. Kong Thou Kong now has orders to confront Red Belt fighters as he would any armed group opposing Juba.
Analysts note that other Central African states, including Congo-Brazzaville, monitor such developments closely as part of wider cooperation against transnational armed movements.