South Sudanese Army Regains Control of Nasir
The town of Nasir, located near the Ethiopian border in South Sudan, has been recaptured by government troops from the White Army, a group of armed Nuer youths. This development comes after the White Army overran a South Sudan People’s Defense Forces base in Nasir on March 4, killing a senior general and several soldiers.
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The White Army’s attack on the base led to a surge in violence in the region, with the army fighting to regain control of the town. The conflict has been fueled by tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, whose forces Kiir’s allies accuse of backing the White Army to destabilize the region.
Visit by Chief of Defense Forces
Gen. Paul Nang Majok, the chief of defense forces for South Sudan, visited Nasir on Monday to commend the soldiers who recaptured the town. He was accompanied by Gen. Kong Thou, the commander of the operation, and other senior military officials. During his visit, Majok hailed the soldiers as "heroic and courageous" and commended their role in retaking the town.
Message from the President
Majok conveyed a message from President Kiir, thanking the soldiers for their bravery and sacrifice. "The president of the republic and the commander in chief has sent his greetings," Majok said. "We lost Gen. David Majur Dak, we lost our forces and our base — but now, you have managed to enter Nasir. You have given a big gift to the people of South Sudan."
Pursuing the White Army
Majok vowed to pursue the remaining White Army fighters, describing them as a "terrorist organization and outlaws." He also urged former SPLA combatants to disarm and join cantonment sites in line with the security arrangements under the 2018 peace agreement. Additionally, he called on local residents to return weapons seized from government troops, saying "We want our artillery, vehicles and other weapons back."
Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with nearly 200 people killed and 125,000 displaced since March. Human Rights Watch has accused the army of using improvised incendiary weapons in Upper Nile state, killing nearly 60 people over the past month. The 2018 peace deal between Kiir and Machar is under severe strain, with Machar being placed under house arrest on March 26.
Conclusion
The recapture of Nasir by government troops is a significant development in the conflict in South Sudan. However, the underlying tensions between President Kiir and First Vice President Machar remain, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. It is essential for the international community to support efforts to bring peace and stability to the region, and for the parties involved to work towards a lasting resolution to the conflict.
