South Sudan conflict update: SPLA-IO’s new appeal
South Sudan’s main armed opposition, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), says it is encouraging government soldiers to defect as fighting intensifies across the country. The group claims it has opened communication channels “at all levels” to facilitate switches from government ranks.
Opposition statement from Lam Paul Gabriel
In a Monday morning statement, SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said the current conflict had been “imposed” on the opposition and civilians by the government in Juba. He framed the developments as part of a broader struggle for “genuine peace and freedom” for citizens.
Competing narratives on the surge in violence
The SPLA-IO rejected the government narrative that the most significant spike in violence since the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement was triggered solely by clashes in Nasir. The opposition instead alleged a longer-term plan to weaken the peace process and accelerate military confrontation.
Nasir incident and the disputed timeline
Challenging Juba’s sequence of events, the SPLA-IO said hostilities did not begin with the Nasir incident, which it linked to the death of Major General David Majur Dak. The group argued the roots of the current conflict stretch back several years, citing earlier decisions and attacks.
Security arrangements, cantonment sites and 2020 claims
According to the SPLA-IO, the turning point came in 2020 with the removal of General Jok Riak, whom it described as committed to security arrangements under the peace deal. It also alleged subsequent attacks by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) on opposition cantonment sites and training centers.
Allegations of escalation and calls to avoid ethnic rhetoric
The opposition said it had previously “chose peace” and “compromised,” despite reporting deaths of senior officers, including a military general it identified as Simon. It also accused the government of leveraging ethnic divisions, urging civilians and soldiers not to be swayed by “tribal rhetoric.”
Defection channels: SSPDF rank-and-file targeted
Leaning on the shared history of soldiers trained during the stalled unification process, the SPLA-IO appealed to SSPDF personnel to join its cause. It said communication lines are open from county bases to General Headquarters, arguing that joint action could “shorten this war.”
Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile fighting raises alarm
The call comes as the security landscape deteriorates, with recent fighting reported in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states. In Jonglei, SPLA-IO forces claimed the capture of Pajut, a strategic town on the road to Bor, prompting the government to rush reinforcements to defend the capital.
AU and UN reactions: peace deal and civilian protection
International concern has grown alongside the violence. The African Union’s Peace and Security Council is expected to discuss South Sudan’s crisis this week, focusing on salvaging the 2018 peace deal. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned against attacks on civilians and urged respect for humanitarian law.
Outlook for the 2018 revitalized agreement
With armed actors contesting both battlefield positions and the story of how the escalation began, the 2018 agreement appears under pressure. Regional diplomacy and international monitoring are likely to remain central, while on the ground, the SPLA-IO’s defection push signals a bid to reshape military dynamics.