By Matik Kueth
South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, appealed for calm after confirming the tragic death of Maj. Gen. Majur Dak, along with 27 soldiers, in a violent encounter at the Nasir airstrip, Upper Nile State.
While addressing the nation on Friday, Kiir revealed that two UN planes flew to Nasir to evacuate Gen. Dak and other commanders, but were attacked by the white army and murdered while traversing the plane before it could take off, with one pilot surviving.
“This morning, two UN planes flew to Nasir while onboarding the general and the officers. They came under heavy fire again. I am therefore informing the nation that in this process, we have lost General Majur Dak and all the officers. Only one pilot survived and one of the planes managed to take off. However, it crash-landed in Malakal and killed all the passengers that were on board. Fellow citizens, I am appealing to you to remain calm,” President Kiir said.
He called on the South Sudanese citizens to remain calm, noting that the situation will be handle peacefully.
Kiir stated that South Sudan will not return to war, reiterating his firm commitment to achieving stability.
“I have said it time and again that our country will not go back to war. Let no one take law into their hands. The government which I lead will handle this crisis. We will remain steadfast in the path of peace. My condolences to the bereaved families of the general and his men,” he stated.
The head of state highlighted the context of the tragic incidents, noting that government forces stationed in Nasir for over eight years were set to be redeployed as part of a routine military exercise.
He said that the redeployment of troops to Nasir was political, sparking tensions in Nasir and Ulang counties.
Kiir further pointed out that on February 28, 2025, that FVP Dr. Riek Machar had requested a meeting to resolve mounting tensions and recalled that a meeting held on March 3rd, 2025 was positive, with Machar telling the parties to the agreement that he would intervene to mitigate the situation.
However, Michael Makuei, the National Information Minister and government spokesperson, disclosed that 27 SSPDF soldiers were killed in the Nasir airstrip attack.
Michael Makuei, Minister of Information, Communication, and Postal Services [Matik Kueth, King News]
Despite the presidency meeting on March 3rd, 2025, which concluded with an appeal for the white army to allow the peaceful passage of the government’s riverine barges, the white army assaulted and besieged the SSPDF military camp in Wech-Yar-Adiu, Nasir, on March 4th, 2025.
The government accused 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, allegations which the 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.
On March 4, 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 besieging Gen. Majur Dak in the barrack no way to escape.
On March 5th, 2025, after efforts by the SPLM-IO and community leaders to calm the white army down, a UN chopper was dispatched to Nasir to transport Gen. Dak and his forces, but the mission was halted due to unexpected firing from the white army.
On Thursday, another airplane was dispatch and successful evacuated flight transported 11 SSPDF soldiers to Malakal.
However, General Majur refused to leave, insisting that all his remaining troops be airlifted first before he followed and remained with 27 soldiers, according to SPLM-IO spokesman Pal Mai.
According to sources, the white army suffered multiple injuries as a result of clashes as the commissioner wanted the General evacuated to Malakal.