Senior Nuer politicians reject claims of ethnic targeting in South Sudan call them inaccurate

Thu 2026-05-28

Nuer politicians reject claims of ethnic targeting in South Sudan, call them ‘inaccurate’ — Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development. [Photo: Courtesy]

JUBA – Senior Nuer political leaders serving in South Sudan’s Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) have dismissed allegations that the government and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) are deliberately targeting the Nuer community amid ongoing insecurity in parts of the country.

In a press statement issued in Juba on 27 May 2026, the leaders, including Public Service Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, de facto SPLM-IO Interim Chairman Stephen Par Kuol, and Wildlife Minister Denay Chagor, among other key Members of Parliament from the Nuer community rejected claims contained in a recent U.S. Department of State announcement imposing visa restrictions on individuals accused of undermining peace in South Sudan, as well as a report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) titled “They Killed Them While We Were Walking: Escalating Violence in South Sudan.”

The statement, signed by several senior government officials from the Nuer community, described the allegations as “false, misleading, inflammatory, and inconsistent with the policies of the government.”

“We categorically reject these claims as false, misleading, inflammatory, and inconsistent with the policies of the government,” the statement read.

The leaders argued that military operations conducted in conflict-affected areas inhabited by Nuer communities were aimed at addressing armed criminal elements, restoring public order, and protecting civilians rather than targeting any ethnic group.

“At no point has the Government of the Republic of South Sudan or the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces conducted operations aimed at targeting the Nuer community as an ethnic group,” the statement added.

The officials warned that unverified accusations risk inflaming communal tensions and undermining ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts in the country.

“We are deeply concerned that the circulation of unverified accusations risks creating fear, damaging intercommunal relations, and undermining ongoing national efforts toward peace, reconciliation, and unity,” the statement said.

The signatories acknowledged the suffering caused by insecurity and conflict in affected areas but emphasized the need for impartial investigations and objective verification of facts before conclusions are drawn by international actors.

They further called on international partners, diplomatic missions, humanitarian agencies, and development organizations to engage constructively with South Sudanese authorities and local stakeholders to avoid what they termed misinformation and narratives that could fuel divisions among communities.

The statement also reaffirmed the Nuer community’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, national unity, and reconciliation.

“The Nuer community remains fully committed to peaceful coexistence with all communities across South Sudan,” the leaders stated.

Among the senior officials who signed the statement are Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol, Federal Affairs Minister Lasuba Wango, Health Minister Luke Thompson Thoan, Roads and Bridges Minister Peter Lam Both, and Public Service Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, among others.

The statement comes amid growing international concern over escalating violence and instability in several parts of South Sudan, particularly in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and other conflict-affected regions.

sudanspost.com