JUBA – The South Sudan Reform Movement/South Sudan Reform Fighters (SSRM/F), an armed opposition group, has called on the Nuer White Army militia to sever ties with First Vice President and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar, claiming he is effectively “jailed” by the terms of the revitalized peace agreement. 

Both Yich Yat, the SSRM/F’s political and mobilization secretary, issued a statement to Sudans Post today urging the militia, also known as Gojam or Terchuong, to disassociate itself from any organization linked to the government, including the SPLM-IO.

“Reformists are asking all the Nuer White Army to denounce SPLM-IO and its leadership, because our future as young generation is much more important and crucial than listening and receiving orders from the detainees – who have succumbed to the … government through the fragile R-ARCSS,” Yat stated, referring to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

He called on the militia to align with the SSRM/F, led by former SPLA-IO military governor of Sobat State Duer Tut Duer, for “fundamental change and genuine peace” in South Sudan.

“It is a suitable time for all South Sudanese to stand tall against the rogue regime led by Salva Kiir and his warlords,” Yat added.

The SSRM/F further urged the militia to “listen and receive orders only from the SSRM/F leadership,” and called for them to join the fight in Ayod and Fangak in Jonglei State, and to move towards the Bahr el Ghazal region from Unity State.

The White Army is an ethnic Nuer militia that fought alongside the SPLM-IO during the 2013-2018 civil war. While the group lacks formal political objectives, it has been used by Nuer political leaders seeking to exert influence.

This appeal follows the militia’s recent withdrawal from Nasir and Ulang Counties in Upper Nile State, which they had captured after clashes with government forces in March. A senior South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) brigade commander was killed during these clashes. Sudan's Post