The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to armed youth from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), ordering them to cease their advance toward Jonglei State and disperse immediately.
In a statement released to the media, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang alleged that over the past three days, the army’s aerial surveillance units have detected large groups of heavily armed youth moving from GPAA toward Jonglei State.
“In the last three days, SSPDF aerial surveillance units have observed and detected large columns of heavily armed youth from Greater Pibor Administrative Area moving toward Jonglei State,” Maj. Gen. Lul alleged in a statement, Thursday.
Emphasizing the army’s constitutional mandate to protect citizens and their property, Maj. Gen. Lul issued a stern warning to the armed youth.
“In line with our constitutional mandate to protect the people and their properties against unwarranted and wanton destruction, SSPDF command strongly warns the armed youth to halt their march and disperse within 72 hours,” he declared.
He further cautioned that failure to comply with this directive would compel the SSPDF to take decisive action.
“Should they fail to comply with the above warnings and directives, the SSPDF will not hesitate to deploy all capabilities at its disposal to pre-empt and avert planned large-scale offensive attacks,” Maj. Gen. Lul warned.
The SSPDF’s ultimatum comes amid rising tensions in the region. In December 2024, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed concern over reports of youth mobilization in Jonglei and GPAA, warning of potential large-scale conflict.
UNMISS called on local authorities to take immediate action to de-escalate the situation and prevent violence.
Additionally, in January 2025, political leaders from Jonglei State and GPAA signed a joint action plan aimed at preventing intercommunal conflict and strengthening the rule of law in the region.
The youth, governments of both GPAA and Jonglei State have yet to comment on the SSPDF’s ultimatum and the unfolding security situation in their areas.
