President Salva Kiir Mayardit has directed the newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol, to urgently complete the long-delayed unification of South Sudan’s armed forces, amid growing uncertainty over the fate of SPLA-IO troops following internal fractures within the group.
During a ceremony at the State House in Juba, Kiir emphasized that national security and lasting peace hinge on establishing a single, professional army free from political and ethnic loyalties.
“The SSPDF must reflect the unity of our nation,” Kiir stated. “It can no longer be a force divided by past conflicts or loyalties. General Dau, your first duty is to complete the unification process and deliver a national army that serves all South Sudanese.”
The directive comes at a critical juncture. Since the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, efforts to integrate forces from various signatory parties, including the SPLA-IO, into a unified army have been sluggish, plagued by mistrust and logistical setbacks.
Now, the recent internal split within the SPLA-IO, sparked by the detention of Dr. Riek Machar, has raised fresh doubts about the viability of the agreement and the cohesion of opposition forces.
Many observers view Machar’s detention and the subsequent disarray within his movement as a potential abrogation of the peace deal, with serious implications for the stalled unification process.
The lack of clarity surrounding the loyalty and structure of SPLA-IO forces has deepened concerns about how, and if, they can be integrated under one national command.
Gen. Dau, in his remarks, acknowledged the gravity of the task ahead. “We must build one army, not many,” he said. “Our strength lies in unity. I will work tirelessly to bring all forces under one command, instill discipline, and uphold our constitutional mandate.”
Analysts say the coming months will test both political will and institutional resolve. The success or failure of the army unification process is widely viewed as a key benchmark for South Sudan’s fragile transition from conflict to peace.
