South Sudan Army Calls for Immediate Civilian Evacuation

(MENAFN) The South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) issued an urgent directive Sunday demanding immediate evacuation of civilians, humanitarian workers, and United Nations staff from opposition-held territories in Jonglei State before launching a large-scale military operation.

"All NGOs and UNMISS personnel operating and working in Nyirol, Uror and Akobo counties are given 48 hours to leave," SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang announced in a video statement.

Koang instructed civilians residing in these territories to relocate without delay to government-controlled zones for protection, as military forces prepare "Operation Enduring Peace" targeting the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).

"Armed civilians found loitering in and around SPLA-IO barracks, assembly areas, and rally grounds would be considered as legitimate military targets," he warned.

Koang mandated that armed civilians and individuals outside the White Army militia surrender weapons at the closest SSPDF garrison and migrate with families and livestock into government-secured areas.

Earlier Sunday, the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) voiced alarm regarding intelligence that a high-ranking military commander had encouraged forces to target civilians in Jonglei State.

The mission reported that escalating combat between principal signatories to the 2018 peace accord has forcibly displaced over 180,000 individuals across Jonglei.

South Sudan, recognized as the globe's newest nation, achieved sovereignty from Sudan in 2011 through a public referendum.

Yet the country has endured continuous turmoil since December 2013, when President Salva Kiir Mayardit removed and charged then-Vice President Riek Machar with orchestrating a coup attempt.

Although peace agreements were formalized in 2018 and 2022, volatility continues.

Last February, the White Army militia—predominantly composed of members from Machar's Nuer ethnic community—captured a municipality in Upper Nile State. Subsequently, multiple generals and government officials aligned with Machar's Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition were arrested.

Opposition leader Machar and numerous other detained individuals confront grave accusations, including murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, alongside allegations of conspiracy, financing terrorist activities, destroying public and military property, and inciting violence in Nasir County.

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