The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to heavily armed youth reportedly advancing from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) towards Jonglei State to disband or face military action.
According to a letter dated 10 April 2025, seen by Radio Tamazuj, SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang stated that the army’s Aerial Surveillance Unit has over the past three days detected large columns of armed youth moving towards Jonglei.
“Intelligence gathered by covert combat operatives indicates that several unspecified locations in the southern and eastern parts of the state may be targeted,” the letter reads in part. “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 24 hours.”
Gen. Ruai emphasized that failure to comply would prompt the SSPDF to deploy all necessary military capabilities to pre-empt and prevent any large-scale attacks.
The movement of armed groups has raised alarm in Jonglei, a region historically plagued by intercommunal violence and cattle raids.