White Army spokesman calls for expansion of armed fronts against SSPDF

JUBA — A faction of the White Army identifying itself as the Gajiok White Army of Ulang and Nasir counties has issued a statement urging other White Army groups in Nuer-majority areas to intensify military pressure against government forces.

In the statement signed by spokesperson Honson Chuol James, the group appealed to White Army formations across what it described as the “rest of 11 counties of Nuer” to open additional fronts against South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) positions.

The statement argued that doing so would prevent government forces from reinforcing areas where fighting is currently active in Greater Lou Nuer.

While the message contains explicit calls for armed action, the group framed its objective as political rather than ethnic.
“Our calls are not weighing a tribal war or attacking any beloved tribes amongst the loving 64 tribes of South Sudan,” the statement reads. “Our calls are directly and strictly to fight against Gen. Kiir’s rogue regime and topple it.”

The group accused President Salva Kiir’s administration of pursuing repressive and exclusionary policies, claiming that military defeat of the government is the only path to political change.
“Gen. Kiir’s genocidal agenda… will only be abated if he is defeated militarily,” the statement said.

The message also sought to reassure government soldiers willing to surrender.
“Those who would lay down their arms from SSPDF wouldn’t be touched or harmed,” it added, claiming that the group’s “initial plans are strictly for Kiir’s ouster.”

The statement further congratulated allied armed groups for recent battlefield developments.
“The White Army leadership of Gajiok of Ulang and Nasir hereby congratulates the battle-hardened Lou Nuer White Army for helping the SPLA-IO and various armed opposition groups,” it said.

At the time of publication, the government had not issued an official response to the statement. Independent verification of the battlefield claims contained in the message remains difficult due to restricted access to affected areas.

South Sudan has witnessed renewed insecurity in parts of Upper Nile and Jonglei in recent months, with armed clashes raising concerns over the future of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement. Regional and international partners continue to call for restraint, civilian protection, and renewed political dialogue.