JUBA — The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed grave concern over reports that a senior South Sudanese military commander urged his troops to carry out indiscriminate violence against civilians in Jonglei State, where conflict has reportedly displaced more than 180,000 people in recent weeks.
In a statement issued on Saturday, UNMISS warned that inflammatory rhetoric targeting civilians risks further escalating an already dire security and humanitarian situation in Jonglei and other parts of the country, where clashes between forces aligned with the main parties to the peace agreement continue despite repeated ceasefire commitments.
“Inflammatory rhetoric calling for violence against civilians, including the most vulnerable, is utterly abhorrent and must stop now,” said Mr. Graham Maitland, the Officer in Charge of UNMISS.
The statement followed remarks attributed to Gen. Johnson Olony, the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Mobilisation and Disarmament and commander of the Agwelek militia, who allegedly instructed his fighters to show no mercy as they advance toward front lines in Jonglei State.
According to reports, Gen. Olony made the comments while addressing his forces in Duk County.
“When we arrive there, don’t spare an elderly, don’t spare a chicken, don’t spare a house and anything,” he was quoted as saying, adding that years of recurring conflict had exhausted his forces.
The comments have sparked alarm among observers and human rights advocates, who warn that such statements could amount to incitement to mass atrocities and further endanger civilians already caught in the crossfire.
UNMISS noted that communities in Jonglei and elsewhere are bearing the brunt of escalating hostilities, including direct military confrontations between forces loyal to the signatories of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement. Despite repeated public assurances from national leaders of their commitment to peace, violations of the ceasefire continue to be reported.
“UNMISS urges the country’s leaders to put the interests of their people first by stopping the fighting and upholding their commitments under the peace agreement,” Mr. Maitland said.
He emphasized the need for a return to consensus-based decision-making, respect for power-sharing arrangements, and agreement on a peaceful and inclusive pathway to conclude the transitional period.
The Agwelek militia, formerly opposed to the government, was partially integrated into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) following earlier peace arrangements.
More recently, the group has been deployed to several strategic locations, including the Heglig oilfields near the Sudan border. These deployments follow a tripartite agreement involving President Salva Kiir’s government and rival parties in Sudan aimed at securing vital oil infrastructure.
UNMISS reiterated its call on all armed actors to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians, warning that continued incitement and violence risk plunging affected regions deeper into instability and humanitarian crisis.