By Matik Kueth
The Minister of Information, Technology, Communication, and Postal Services, Michael Makuei, criticized the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) for exacerbating the conflict between the SSPDF and the White Army in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
While addressing a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, Makuei outlined a daunting series of events that culminated in an attack on the Wech-Yar-Adiu military barrack by armed youth.
He said the current attack was not a spontaneous uprising, but rather a coordinated effort led by SPLA-IO forces chanting their faction’s slogan (SPLA-IO Viva), in videos circulating on social media.
“In that discussions, it was clarified that these forces are not going for any disarmament, but going to relieve the forces that have been in Nasir for long. In our discussion, the I.O denied knowledge or responsibility for the white army. Because we were saying, IO, this white army is your force. We know it a long time ago before the agreement. It is one of your forces. That is a militia or a support force under your command. So, please take care of these forces. But instead, they were denying the responsibility.” Makuei said, emphasizing that SPLM-IO’s failure to take responsibility for the actions of its affiliates.
According to Makuei, the fighting in Nasir escalated due to deeper connections between the SPLA-IO and the White Army.
Outlining a proactive approach, he called on the SPLA-IO “to restrain its forces and respect the resolutions,” warning that disregard for the agreement could further escalate violence.
“I call upon the members who are signatories to the agreement, and specifically to the IO, to control their forces. Control their forces and give them the necessary directives to withdraw from that place. We are also, as a government in which they are members, asking the IO to abide by the provisions of the agreement,” he stressed.
However, despite Makuei’s claims, SPLM-IO spokesperson, Pal Mai Deng refuted in a statement dated March 1, 2025, that no SPLA-IO forces interfered in the armed youth and SSPDF confrontations reported by the SPLM-IG.
“The Statement by the SSPDF Spokesperson of the involvement of the SPLA-IO forces in yesterday’s clashes between the SSPDF and the allied militias, and the youth is a fabrication and provocative. The SPLA-IO condemns this war propaganda that drags the SPLA-IO into the tension,” Deng noted.
This respond followed a statement released by the SSPDF Spokesperson, Lul Ruai Koang, accusing the SPLA-IO of being involved in the clashes.On March 3, 2025, the SPLM-IO dispatched a committee to Nasir and Ulang counties to engage with armed youth leaders and traditional leaders in an effort to de-escalate tensions in the two areas. But their attempts were ineffective as the White Army launched a huge attack on the SSPDF’s Wech-Yar-Adiu military barracks on Tuesday night.
The fighting in Nasir and Ulang Counties is rooted in a complex interplay of military movements and rumors, with miscommunication surrounding reinforcements traveling to Nasir to replace troops that had been stationed there for years and had difficulty coexisting with the local population. The situation prompted fears of an impending disarmament operation by the White Army, leading them to block all riverine routes that could be used by military barges.
On Tuesday afternoon, security forces arrested Duop Lam, Deputy Chief of General Staff, and the petroleum minister, Puot Kang Chol, at around 2 a.m., along with several senior military officials allied to First Vice President Riek Machar, as his home in the J1 neighborhood was surrounded by soldiers.
According to Makuei, Lam and Kang were arrested because they were suspected of being involved in the ongoing conflict between armed youth and the SSPDF in Nasir and Ulang counties.