2025 Nasir clashes
Nasir clashes | |||||||
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Part of the aftermath of the South Sudanese Civil War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ter Chuol Gatkuoth | Majur Manyok † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
unknown | around 40 soldiers[1] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
more than 40 killed 77 wounded[2] | 27+ killed[3] | ||||||
1 UNMISS helicopter crew member killed, 2 wounded[4] |
Clashes broke out in the South Sudanese town of Nasir between members of the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the local Nuer White Army on 3 March 2025, leading to the SSPDF evacuation of the town and the arrests of several politicians.
Background
[edit]The town of Nasir is located on the Sobat River in Upper Nile State, 26 km (16 mi) from the border with Ethiopia. The Nuer people are the primary inhabitants, and the town was a stronghold of the Nuer-majority Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) during the South Sudanese Civil War. The town was largely destroyed when captured by government forces in May 2014; the town was retaken by SPLA-IO forces in July 2014.[5]
Even after the signing of the R-ARCSS—the agreement that ended the civil war—in 2018, tensions in Nasir remained high. On 10–11 February 2024, clashes broke out between White Army members and soldiers with the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) after a dispute involving fishing nets, leaving several dead.[6][7] The White Army has protested the SSPDF presence in the town, calling for Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) to replace the soldiers, who are perceived as partisan.[8][9] On 14–15 February 2025, four SSPDF soldiers were killed when White Army members attacked a group collecting firewood; at least 10 civilians were injured in the resultant shelling.[10][11]
Conflict
[edit]Around 4 p.m. on Monday, 3 March, a White Army member was killed by the SSPDF, sparking clashes which continued until Tuesday evening.[12] White Army members secured the town of Nasir as well as part of the Wec Yar Adiu army barracks located around 3 km (2 mi) west of the town.[13] On Wednesday, 5 March, the White Army and the government agreed to allow the SSPDF troops to be airlifted out of Nasir using a UNMISS helicopter; however, the evacuation was delayed until Friday, 7 March, and the SSPDF soldiers took refuge in armed vehicles.[14] When the helicopter arrived, an exchange of fire with the White Army led to the death of one of the UNMISS helicopter operators and around 27 SSPDF soldiers.[4][15]
Political consequences
[edit]In the aftermath of the clashes, several politicians associated with the SPLA-IO were put under house arrest. On 4 March, General Gabriel Duop Lam, the chief of staff for the SPLA-IO was arrested on unspecified charges, and around midnight on 5 March, Puot Kang Chol, the minister of petroleum, was also arrested in Juba.[16][17] SSPDF soldiers also surrounded the home of First Vice President Riek Machar.[18] On 6 March, Stephen Par Kuol, the minister of peacebuilding, was arrested in his office; he was released on the morning of 7 March.[19][20]
SSPDF losts and reactions
[edit]The SSPDF barrack was captured by the White Army leading to the killing of the top commander of the SSPDF, Major General Majur Dak, and 27 SSDPF solidiers. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesman condemned the attack and accused Riek Machar of interference with the evacuation process.
Reactions
[edit]The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) expressed concern over the clashes, urging the parties to reaffirm their commitment to the R-ARCSS peace agreement.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ "SSPDF troops to be evacuated from Nasir". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Airlifting of SSPDF troops in Nasir delayed". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "General among dozens killed in attack on UN helicopter evacuation in South Sudan". Reuters. 2025-03-07.
- ^ a b "UNMISS personnel killed and injured during attack on UN helicopter in Nasir, South Sudan". UNMISS. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ Ramdiet, Gatluak (2025-02-15). "Opinion| A town torn apart: Nasir's decade of death and despair". Radio Tamazuj. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Several dead, scores injured in Nasir County as SSPDF and civilians clash". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-02-12. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Government to send delegation to investigate Nasir fighting". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Mpuga, Douglas (2025-03-04). "South Sudan in Focus: South Sudan People's Defense Forces clash with armed civilians in Nasir town, scores killed". Voice of America. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "SSPDF, civilians in Nasir reached 'deadlock,' says governor". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-11-03. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Four soldiers killed, civilians injured in Nasir clashes". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "UN calls for calm as violence flares in South Sudan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Fighting grips Nasir County, civilians flee". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-03. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "'White Army' claims control of Nasir town". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-04. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ Chang, Koang (2025-03-05). "SPLM-IO: SSPDF Commander, soldiers to be airlifted from Nasir following agreement with White Army". Eye Radio. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "South Sudan: UN evacuation attempt disrupted by deadly shooting". www.bbc.com. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ "South Sudan detains oil minister and military officials in threat to peace deal". Reuters. 2025-05-03.
- ^ "South Sudan arrest of Gabriel Doup Lam and Puot Kang Chol sparks fears over peace deal". www.bbc.com. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Army surrounds South Sudan vice president's home as his allies are arrested". AP News. 2025-03-05. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "National Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol arrested by National Security". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
- ^ "Peace minister freed from Juba detention". Radio Tamazuj. 2025-03-07. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
- ^ Djama, Mohamed (2025-03-05). "IGAD Calls for Restraint and Dialogue Amid Rising Tensions in Nasir County, South Sudan". IGAD. Retrieved 2025-03-06.