The South Sudan army recaptures Nasir, a strategic town in Upper Nile state, from the ethnic Nuer-led White Army. The town had fallen in March during clashes that triggered the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar and a fresh wave of political instability.
President Salva Kiir and Machar have shared power since a 2018 peace agreement ended a brutal civil war. That conflict, fought by loyalists of both men, claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Their uneasy partnership now faces its greatest test.
Machar remains under house arrest, accused of backing the White Army in an alleged rebellion. His detention has raised fears of a renewed ethnic conflict. International actors have expressed concern over rising tensions.
Military sources said government forces regained control of Nasir on Sunday without facing resistance. White Army spokesperson Honson Chuol James described their move as “a tactical withdrawal.” However, he confirmed that 17 people died in airstrikes on the nearby village of Thuluc.
Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang stated that government troops avoided an ambush in Thuluc due to close air support. “We spotted them gathering and opened fire. They dispersed immediately,” Koang reported.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni recently met with Kiir in Juba. He sent Ugandan troops to help secure the capital amid fears of further unrest. His son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, claimed Ugandan forces have killed 1,500 White Army fighters since their deployment.
Meanwhile, Machar’s SPLM-IO party faces internal cracks. A rival faction announced a temporary leadership change, while the armed wing pledged loyalty to Machar despite his detention.
The recapture of Nasir marks a turning point in South Sudan’s growing crisis. With military conflict escalating and political unity crumbling, the peace deal now hangs in the balance.
