SSOA backs Mels call on opposition to dismantle military wings

SSOA, an umbrella of eight political parties, said in a statement extended to that its military wing has been absorbed into the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces under the command of President Salva Kiir, urging other parties to follow suit.

“The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) reaffirms that all its forces—both those who have graduated and those still in training, are under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and all organized forces, General Salva Kiir Mayardit — and are fully under the unified command of the Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF),” read the statement.

The statement, signed by SSOA Spokesperson Stephen Lual Ngor, reiterated that this arrangement is in strict compliance with the directives of the former Vice President and current Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, and aligns with the provisions of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Mr Lual maintained that the military wing of the alliance has been officially integrated into the national structure “through a transparent unification process”.

“This process was marked by a landmark graduation ceremony attended by His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit and various regional leaders. During the event, it was unequivocally reaffirmed that President Kiir is the sole Commander-in-Chief of all organised forces in South Sudan,” he added.

Echoing the call by Mel on parties signatories to the peace agreement to abolish their military structures in recognition of the SSPDF as a sole national army, Mr. Lual said “The notion of maintaining multiple armies is completely unacceptable and stands in direct violation of the peace agreement—a red line that cannot be crossed.”

The alliance reiterated that it has no parallel forces operating outside the agreed security framework, adding that “We urge all armed groups still outside the peace framework to lay down their weapons and join the national effort toward sustainable peace and development.”

“SSOA remains fully committed to the implementation of the peace agreement. We stand for national unity and the formation of a professional, inclusive army that reflects the diverse fabric of South Sudan and safeguards the nation’s sovereignty and dignity,” said Mr. Lual.

From internal power wrangles to military defections, SSOA has also been criticised for violating the peace agreement it claims to be upholding.

In May 2025, the SSOA suffered a major blow when over 4,410 officers and personnel, led by Maj. Gen. Nyuop Kuol Nyuop and Maj. Gen. Samuel Mabor Mayen defected to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

Sources say these defections, from training centres in Western and Northern Bahr el Ghazal, undermined the R-ARCSS’s security arrangements and further weakened the SSOA’s military and political leverage.

An analysis by Mahmoud Akot also highlighted ongoing disputes within the alliance, particularly within the South Sudan Patriotic Movement (SSPM), where Hussein Abdelbagi and Costello Garang clashed over leadership legitimacy. This infighting shifted focus from critical issues like army unification and constitutional reforms to personal power struggles, paralysing the SSOA’s ability to advocate for reforms.

sudanspost.com