Human rights activist Ter Manyang Gatwech has voiced skepticism over the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces’ (SSPDF) recent appeal for displaced civilians to return to Nasir town, Upper Nile, following weeks of clashes in the county.
In an interview on Tuesday, Gatwech, who heads the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), acknowledged army’s call as a positive gesture but raised doubts about whether displaced residents would feel secure enough to return.
“It’s a good call,” Gatwech said, “but I doubt whether the civilians will come to the town after witnessing deadly violence from the SSPDF.”
He emphasized that a lack of trust between civilians and the military remains a major obstacle, particularly within the community of Nassir, which he said feels targeted by government forces.
“There is no trust now between the SSPDF and civilians,” he added. “Especially among the Nuer community, who believe they have been deliberately targeted and killed by their own government forces.”
To rebuild confidence, Gatwech proposed deployment of religious leaders and civil society members to engage with affected communities and assess the conditions on the ground.
On Monday, the SSPDF called on displaced residents to return to Nassir after regaining control of the town from ‘White Army’ fighters, after weeks of fighting.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Paul Nang Majok, who visited Nassir, assured residents that peace had been restored.
“Nassir is now safe,” Gen. Majok said. “We are calling on all our people who fled during the fighting to return to their homes the situation is under control.”
In an effort to stabilize the area, Gen. Majok also appealed for the return of weapons reportedly seized from government forces during the clashes.
He urged members of the White Army and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) to surrender and report to designated cantonment sites in accordance with the revitalized peace agreement.
The unrest began in March 2025 when fierce fighting broke out between the SSPDF and the White Army, a community-based militia, which the government accuses of aligning with the SPLA-IO, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
The conflict in Nasir resulted in numerous deaths, including a South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) area commander and a United Nations pilot.
After the confrontation intensified, First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny was placed under arrest, with the government accusing him of ordering those attacks.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has struggled to maintain stability since the devastating five-year civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar, which ended with the 2018 peace deal.
However, the fragile peace has been repeatedly threatened by continued distrust and renewed clashes between the two leaders, straining relations and destabilizing the nation.
