South Sudanese army arrests soldiers accused of killing civilians
South Sudanese soldiers are responsible for killing 16 civilians in Ayod County in Jonglei state, the country’s army said on Wednesday.
Speaking to Eye Radio, South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang promised to punish those responsible.
“We also regret the loss of life attributed to some elements within the force,” Koang said, adding “we do not condone such actions, we took immediate measures: first, the suspects were arrested; second, they will face justice with charges filed against them.”
The SSPDF spokesperson stated the army had detained two unnamed officers and several non-commissioned officers suspected of involvement in the killings.
The spokesperson explained that their “sentences will be determined based on their level of involvement in the crimes,” adding that a general court martial would establish the extent of their guilt. Koang stated that the exact circumstances in which the civilians were killed remain unclear.
Local authorities in Jonglei state previously reported that 16 civilians were killed on February 21 in Pankor village in Ayod County. Officials said the victims included women and children.
South Sudan has experienced years of instability since gaining independence from Sudan.
South Sudan has been plagued by political instability and armed conflict since gaining independence in 2011. A five-year civil war erupted in 2013 over a feud between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and former First Vice President Riek Machar, rooted in power struggles within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM – the party was founded in Sudan in 1983 and still keeps the same name). The 2018 peace agreement formally ended the civil war, but clashes continue across the country, driven by local militias and resource disputes.
The situation has been further complicated by political upheaval, including the arrest of Machar in March 2025. Machar’s party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement‑in‑Opposition (SPLM‑IO), has warned that his detention effectively nullifies the 2018 peace agreement. Machar has been accused of supporting the White Army, a militia composed largely of Nuer fighters, which reportedly participated in clashes in Upper Nile state.
Ongoing insecurity has displaced hundreds of thousands, worsening the humanitarian crisis. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), by the end of 2025, South Sudan had over 2.7 million internally displaced persons, and more than 9 million people in total are in need of humanitarian assistance.
In January, the UN mission in South Sudan warned of rising violence in Jonglei state. The mission said the recent hostilities had forced over 180,000 people to flee their homes. It urged all armed groups to return “to consensus-based decision-making” and respect the country’s power-sharing arrangements.
The violence has also hit other parts of South Sudan. Local officials said at least 169 people were killed when armed youths raided Abiemnhom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area in early March.
