Civil Society Raises Red Flag
Reports reaching Juba suggest self-styled Prophet Makuach Tut is leading dozens of armed youths northward from Jonglei’s Ayod County toward Malakal. Ter Manyang Gatwech of the Center for Peace and Advocacy warns that an unchecked advance could reignite fragile ceasefires across Upper Nile.
Government Banks on Negotiation First
Governor James Koang Chuol confirms that state officials and army commanders are in daily contact with counterparts in Ayod. Their immediate strategy is persuasion: dispatching relatives and clerics to convince the preacher to reverse course before any shot is fired.
Security Forces Prepare Defensive Plan
Yet contingency plans are ready. “We have sufficient forces to protect Piji and Menaka if talks collapse,” Chuol says. He stresses the army will act only defensively, a position mirrored by Juba’s cabinet, which fears renewed displacement along the White Nile corridor.
Who Is Prophet Makuach Tut?
Makuach Tut gained prominence in 2022 after a similar march ended in clashes that left scores displaced. Followers regard him as a miracle worker; critics describe a charismatic commander who blurs spiritual revival with armed mobilisation. His motives remain opaque, feeding speculation across tea stalls.
Why Preventing Clashes Matters
Analysts argue that preventing violence now could bolster the 2018 peace deal and free up resources for flooding recovery. Gatwech urges swift mediation, stating, “Dialogue is cheaper than bullets.” Residents in Malakal echo that plea, hoping river trade and school calendars stay uninterrupted.