South Sudan’s government has publicly distanced itself from one of its senior generals following inflammatory remarks in which he allegedly ordered his forces to spare no life or property during military operations against opposition fighters in northern Jonglei State.
In a press briefing held in Juba on January 27, government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said the statements attributed to Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo do not represent the position or policy of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), describing them as personal comments made outside official command doctrine.
“The remarks circulating in the media are those of the general himself and should not, in any way, be taken as the position of the government,” Ateny said.
“The government remains fully committed to peace, dialogue, and the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).”
Gen. Olony, a senior commander in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), came under sharp public criticism after reported comments made during a briefing to government troops operating in parts of Akobo, Nyirol and Uror counties.
According to multiple accounts, the general allegedly urged his soldiers to show no mercy in the field, instructing them to destroy property and eliminate anything encountered in areas believed to host opposition elements.
Civil society groups and rights advocates warned that such language was dangerous, reckless and risked encouraging abuses against civilians, particularly in conflict-affected communities already displaced by ongoing insecurity.
Responding to the backlash, Ateny emphasised that the mandate of the SSPDF is clearly defined and does not include targeting civilians or civilian property.
“The role of the SSPDF is to protect civilians, defend the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan, and restore public order. Any actions or statements that contradict this mandate are unacceptable and do not reflect government policy,” he said.
The spokesperson further assured residents who fled violence in northern Jonglei and sought refuge at UNMISS protection sites that security conditions are being addressed and that measures are being taken to guarantee their safety.
He urged displaced civilians to remain calm and cautioned the public against spreading misinformation as security operations continue.
The government’s swift move to distance itself from Gen. Olony’s remarks underscores growing sensitivity within the transitional administration to inflammatory rhetoric by senior military figures, particularly at a time when the country is struggling to stabilise fragile peace gains and reassure civilians ahead of key transitional milestones.
