By Deng Machol
JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudan’s newly reappointed army chief on Thursday declared an end to renewed fighting between government forces and opposition troops, in a move aimed at easing rising tensions after weeks of insecurity and political uncertainty in the fragile East African nation.
Gen. Santino Deng Wol, who was reappointed Wednesday as chief of defense forces of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), issued what military officials described as a renewed cessation of hostilities order shortly after resuming command at the military headquarters in Bilpham, outside the capital, Juba.
The announcement comes amid growing fears over escalating clashes involving forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and the opposition SPLM-IO movement, a key signatory to South Sudan’s fragile 2018 peace agreement.
SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the new military command structure was intended to halt confrontations between SSPDF forces and the SPLA-IO, the armed wing aligned with suspended First Vice President Riek Machar.
“Gen. Santino Deng Wol has just declared that the era of renewed hostilities between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO rebels is over following his reappointment and resumption of command of the national army,” Koang said in a statement.
He added that Wol had “warmly and wholeheartedly” welcomed his deputy, Gen. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok, who also serves as acting SPLA-IO chief of general staff.
Wol replaces Gen. Paul Nang Majok, who was dismissed Wednesday in a presidential decree broadcast on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC). No official reason was provided for his removal.
The reshuffle marks the latest in a series of abrupt changes within South Sudan’s top political and military leadership, developments analysts say reflect mounting pressure on Kiir’s administration as insecurity worsens across several parts of the country.
Gen. Nang had served as army chief since October, but his tenure came under increasing scrutiny following deadly violence in several regions, including Jonglei State, where clashes among armed groups and political factions have displaced civilians and reignited fears of a broader return to conflict.
However, SPLM-IO spokesperson Pal Mai Deng welcomed the reshuffle as “a good gesture” and a sign of South Sudan’s return to dialogue, normalization, and sustainable peace, while demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Machar and other detained SPLM/A-IO political and military leaders.
“Without fulfilling this condition first, the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities is not within reach,” Deng said in a statement.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, emerged from a devastating five-year civil war after the 2018 peace agreement brought Kiir and Machar into a unity government. But implementation of the accord has repeatedly stalled, while deep mistrust between rival factions continues to threaten the fragile peace process.
