JUBA – South Sudan army chief voiced his determination on Wednesday to wage war against those who have taken arms against the government including Nhial Deng Nhial who he deems to have rebelled.
Deng, a veteran politician and co-founder of the SPLM – announced on 15th October 2025 that he left the party to form South Sudan Salvation Movement (SSSM). In his declaration, he accused the government of corruption and failure to restore peace in the country.
SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization, Bol Makueng said Deng’s accusations lack merits and questioned why the latter failed to address the leadership failures while he was part of the government.
Addressing a thanksgiving event on October 29, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen. Paul Nang “reiterated his resolve and determination to war against those who had taken up arms against the government including Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial who rebelled recently,” said SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai in a statement.
The army declaration came hours after the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that decisive and coordinated international action is urgently required to halt rights violations and avert a total collapse of South Sudan peace deal.
The CDF further ordered for immediate implementation and execution of verdicts passed by the District Military Court Martial as approved by SSPDF Commander-In-Chief. Details of the verdicts have not been disclosed.
The army chief also issued several directives including reforms in the army’s payment system, including directing head of units “to surrender ghost names so that serving and deserving servicemen without salaries could be paid.”
He threatened non-compliant individuals with retrospective repayment of embezzled salaries.
Nang further banned sale of military food rations and directed division commanders to ensure timely delivery to intended beneficiaries. He warned division coordinators to immediately cease such malpractices.
He also reinstated the permanent removal of illegal checkpoints and arrest, and re-arrest of those fond of re-establishing removed checkpoints
