Tensions are escalating in Ulang County, Upper Nile State, as fears grow of potential clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and local armed youth, known as the White Army, in Doma Payam. The two groups are reportedly within close proximity, raising concerns of an imminent armed confrontation.
Ulang County is situated approximately 152 kilometers from Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State. It shares borders with Baliet County to the north, Nasir County to the northeast, and Jonglei State’s Nyirol and Akobo Counties to the southwest. To the east, it is bordered by Ethiopia.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday afternoon, Khor Dak Gony, Executive Director of Ulang County, warned of the deteriorating situation. He noted that while fighting has not yet broken out, the distance between the SSPDF and the White Army is less than three kilometers, with both sides preparing for possible combat.
“The army is advancing towards Ulang, and the White Army is preparing for battle. Many youths are blowing whistles, signaling readiness for conflict,” Gony said.
The executive director pointed out that local authorities were not informed by the state government about the SSPDF’s movement into the area.
“The White Army, which previously dislodged SSPDF forces from Nasir, continues to demand the deployment of a unified force to the area instead of the SSPDF,” he explained.
Gony emphasized that neither local authorities in Ulang nor the state government in Malakal are in a position to prevent a potential armed confrontation. He called for urgent intervention from the national government to de-escalate the situation.
“We have engaged with our local community and the national government, but so far, we have not succeeded. There is a critical need for the national government to step in,” Gony said.
Multiple sources also confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that SSPDF forces are advancing towards Doma, heightening fears of clashes with the White Army.
Attempts to reach SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang for comment were unsuccessful.
The tensions in Ulang County come amid broader political and military strife between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, who leads the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO).
Last week, militias allegedly loyal to Machar overran the town of Nasir in Upper Nile State, resulting in numerous casualties, including the death of an SSPDF commander.
The violence has prompted President Kiir’s administration to intensify a crackdown on Machar’s allies. Among those detained are Petroleum Minister Puot Kang, Nasir lawmaker Gatwech Lam Puoch, and several senior military officials aligned with the First Vice President.
These developments have raised fresh concerns about the stability of South Sudan’s fragile 2018 peace agreement, which ended a five-year civil war that devastated the country.