South Sudan Army Recaptures Nasir Town
In a major military development, South Sudan's army announced the successful recapture of Nasir, a strategically important town in Upper Nile state, which had been under the control of the White Army militia. The militia, composed mainly of the Nuer ethnic group, took control of the town in March following intense clashes, which led to the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar. This event triggered an escalating political crisis that continues to threaten the fragile peace in the country.
Political Tensions Escalate After Machar’s Arrest
The military’s recapture of Nasir is significant not only because of its strategic location but also due to the broader political context. Since the 2018 peace deal, South Sudan’s government has been operating under a delicate power-sharing arrangement between President Salva Kiir and Machar. However, Machar’s recent arrest on charges of supporting the White Army and attempting to spark a rebellion has further destabilized the situation.
Many observers fear that the arrest of Machar could ignite renewed ethnic violence, particularly given the historical tensions between Kiir's Dinka and Machar's Nuer supporters. The international community has expressed concern about the potential for a return to the devastating civil war that tore the country apart for years.
Military Retakes Town Without Resistance
According to Major General Lul Ruai Koang, a spokesperson for the South Sudanese Army, Nasir was recaptured on Sunday without significant resistance. The White Army militia reportedly withdrew from the town after facing air support from the government forces. Koang stated that the militia attempted to regroup in nearby Thuluc village but were successfully dispersed by fire after they were detected.
White Army Claims Tactical Withdrawal
In contrast, White Army spokesperson Honson Chuol James claimed that their departure from Nasir was a tactical withdrawal. He emphasized that the militia's forces were repositioning rather than retreating due to military pressure. However, he also acknowledged that 17 people had died as a result of a heavy bombardment in the nearby village of Thuluc.
Uganda’s Role in Stabilizing South Sudan
The broader political and military situation in South Sudan has drawn neighboring Uganda into the fray. Earlier this month, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni visited Juba to meet with President Kiir and deployed Ugandan forces to help stabilize the capital. The heightened political tensions had raised concerns about the safety of the capital, prompting Uganda's intervention.
Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also Museveni’s son, reported that Ugandan forces had killed 1,500 White Army fighters who had been allied with Machar's forces during the South Sudanese civil war. The deployment of Ugandan troops highlights the regional dimensions of the conflict and the stakes involved for both South Sudan and its neighbors.
SPLM-IO Faces Internal Divisions
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Machar’s political party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO), appears to be fragmenting. Earlier this month, a faction within the party declared that it had temporarily replaced Machar as the party chairman, signaling growing divisions within the opposition group. Meanwhile, the armed wing of the SPLM-IO has expressed its continued loyalty to Machar, despite his detention under house arrest.
This internal rift within Machar’s party adds another layer of instability to South Sudan’s already fragile peace process, making the future of the country's political landscape uncertain.
Ongoing Instability in South Sudan
The recapture of Nasir represents a pivotal moment in South Sudan's ongoing struggle for stability. While it may have temporarily strengthened President Kiir’s position, the deeper issues of ethnic conflict, political power struggles, and military rivalries continue to threaten the fragile peace established in 2018. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as South Sudan faces an uncertain future.
