Press Release
Subject: Condemnation of the uncoordinated unlawful Political Disarmament Plan against Civilians in Nasir County and Ulang County of Upper Nile State.
February 22, 2025.
February 25, 2025 (SSNA) – The Eastern-Jikany Peace Initiative Council (EPIC) strongly condemns the ongoing politically-orientated disarmament plan in Upper Nile State by forces predominantly dominated by tribal individuals forcefully collected on the streets, prisoners and civilians from various ethnic groups and are said to be National Unified Forces (NUF). This indirect SSPDF preparation to reinforce and strengthen its temporary military base located in Nasir County threatens the life and social well-being of the people who resumed living in both Ulang and Nasir County. It risks the lives of farmers and endangers trades and other significant social relations between Nuer ethnic groups and neighbors. Worse of all, it threatens peace and stability in South Sudan and may under any circumstance escalate into inter-tribal violence in the state.
Disarmament is written in the R-ARCISS as a significant step in securing a lasting peace in the country but disarming someone (White Army) who has held a gun for over ten years in self-defend from his own country`s military operations must first start with dialogue, general educations and in a fair and cooperative manner. In addition to this, it must be conducted by the confirmed and commissioned National Unified Force (NUF), but not untrained tribal forces transported from the Bhar-El-Ghazel region and the innocent youths hijacked and forcefully recruited into the force last two months.
Eastern-Jikany Peace Initiative Council (EPIC) calls on H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan to respect and recognize only the security arrangement as the route that will revert South Sudan to its glorious days, and work toward inclusive security reform. The path to lasting peace lies in the genuine observance of the security arrangement signed by the parties.
We, the Eastern-Jikany Peace Initiative Council (EPIC) stand in solidarity with our people and reaffirm our commitment to only respect the genuine and peaceful implementation of the security arrangement, otherwise, if such a disarmament plan continues to move on toward Ulang County, it will signal your intention to take the country back to war.
End.
Issued by EPIC Council Worldwide.