South Sudan Army Threat: “No One Spared” Condemned

The United Nations has expressed grave concern after a senior military leader in South Sudan urged troops to “spare no-one,” including civilians and children, when deployed to opposition-held areas. The call has prompted warnings of escalating violence and mass displacement in the country.

South Sudan Military Leader’s Directive Sparks UN Alarm

The head of the UN mission in South Sudan stated that inflammatory rhetoric calling for violence against civilians is “utterly abhorrent and must stop now.” The comments were made by South Sudan’s deputy army chief, Gen. Johnson Oluny, while addressing his Agwelek militia as they prepared for deployment to parts of Jonglei state.

The government has stated that Oluny’s remarks were not an official order. In a video posted on Facebook, Oluny can be heard saying, “spare no-one – the elderly, children, birds or leave no house standing.”

Forces aligned with suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have recently captured several areas. Machar is currently on trial on charges of murder, treason, and crimes against humanity, which he denies.

Evacuations Ordered in Jonglei State

The military has ordered all civilians and personnel from the UN mission and other aid agencies to evacuate three counties in Jonglei state – Nyirol, Uror, and Akobo – ahead of an operation against opposition forces. The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed its peacekeepers in Akobo remain in place, working to de-escalate tensions.

Last week, the chief of the defence force ordered troops deployed in the region to “crush the rebellion” within seven days.

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (UNCHRSS) expressed “grave alarm” at the fighting in Jonglei state, where witnesses report civilians fleeing into swamps. The UN estimates more than 180,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to the escalating conflict.

UNCHRSS head Yasmin Sooka stated that language calling for the killing of those no longer participating in hostilities and civilians is “shocking” and “profoundly dangerous.” The commission noted that no senior political or military leader in Juba can claim to be unaware of the public incitements to commit serious crimes.

Opposition Threat and Government Response

South Sudan’s main opposition group, Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), stated its forces expect to reach the capital, Juba, by the end of February. However, the army dismissed this threat, asserting the opposition lacks the capacity to attack the capital.

Army spokesperson Gen. Lul Ruai Koang stated, “We are not sure if they will have the courage to face us, but we are prepared for any eventualities.” He added that while the SPLM-IO controls some counties in Jonglei, Bor, the state capital, remains under government control.

Conflict in South Sudan erupted in 2013, two years after the country gained independence, when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of plotting to overthrow him. A 2018 peace deal ended the civil war, which killed nearly 400,000 people, but it has not been fully implemented, and tensions between Kiir and Machar have increased amid ethnic tensions and sporadic violence. A power-sharing agreement between the two sides is largely defunct after President Kiir moved against Machar, who was arrested last March.

The civil war saw ethnic violence between members of Kiir’s Dinka community and the Nuers, who were seen as backing Machar.