SSPDF officer shot in civilian rescue attempt battles for life at Juba Teaching Hospital

JUBA – A senior officer of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) is battling for his life at Juba Teaching Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds while allegedly attempting to rescue civilians abducted by armed rebels in Central Equatoria State.

Major Makuch Deng Chol was shot on 22 December during what his family describes as a rescue operation in the Billinyang 2 area of Juba County. According to an appeal issued by his daughter, Abuk Makuch, the officer was injured in the line of duty while trying to save innocent civilians who had been kidnapped.

Pictures seen by Sudans Post show that he is in the Intensive Care Unit, illustrating the criticality of his condition.

In a public statement addressed to the higher military structure, Abuk said her father’s condition remains critical and his survival uncertain, raising concerns over what she described as inadequate medical and institutional support.

“My father has faithfully served this country since the 1980s. He sacrificed his comfort, safety and personal life to defend South Sudan,” the statement reads. “Today, he is fighting for his life, and sadly, his condition remains critical.”

The family says Major Makuch has not received sufficient attention from the military leadership since he was admitted to the hospital, a situation they describe as deeply distressing given his decades of service.

“It is deeply painful to witness a man who gave his entire life to this nation now struggling to survive without adequate support,” Abuk said, adding that no senior official has visited the officer since the incident.

The appeal criticises what it terms a pattern of neglect toward soldiers injured in the line of duty, warning that such situations leave citizens questioning how national heroes are treated when they are most vulnerable.

“You never gave him a chance to stay with his family, and now today he is in a difficult situation, fighting for his life, yet you expect the family to do what you were supposed to do,” the statement adds.

The family has called on the Higher Military Service and the Government of South Sudan to urgently intervene by ensuring proper medical care and logistical support to save Major Makuch’s life.

“He stood for this country when it needed him. Now he needs his country to stand for him,” Abuk said.

At the time of publication, the SSPDF and relevant government authorities had not publicly responded to the appeal.