March 16, 2025 (SSNA) — I am writing an open letter to Donald Trump in response to the fabricated stories about the White Army.
It is alleged that the Salva Kiir government is carrying out a silent genocide against the Nuer people. Recently, the regime hired some lawmakers in the United States to lobby on its behalf and has fabricated stories to persuade the U.S. government to designate the White Army as a terrorist organization. Such a designation would have severe consequences for the Nuer people, as it could justify military actions against them and increase their persecution. It would also hinder any potential peace negotiations and further complicate efforts to bring stability to the region. Moreover, this label could prevent humanitarian aid from reaching those in need, exacerbating the dire humanitarian crisis.
To counter these false narratives, it is crucial to engage in proactive diplomacy and disseminate accurate information about the situation on the ground. Building alliances with international human rights organizations and leveraging media platforms to share the true plight of the Nuer people can help counteract the misinformation. Additionally, encouraging dialogue between all parties involved will be essential in fostering understanding and working toward a peaceful resolution. Firstly, the allegations against the White Army are unfounded. The White Army has never invaded anyone; rather, they have solely defended their community. All conflicts involving the White Army have occurred within Nuer territories, where they reside.
All legal frameworks, including those of the United States, do not punish individuals for defending themselves. Every person has the right to protect themselves, which is precisely what the White Army is doing in their areas. The incident that resulted in the tragic death of a UN staffer appears to have been orchestrated by the government in Juba to undermine the White Army’s reputation. Long-time UN members in South Sudan understand that the White Army only responds to attacks against their community.
I urge all UN representatives working in South Sudan, especially in the Nuer region, to speak the truth about the White Army and the Nuer community.
The Murle tribe has a history of kidnapping women and children across South Sudan, predominantly in Nuer areas, often with support from the Government of South Sudan. Whenever the government decides to assault the Nuer’s land, they typically enlist the Murle militia to assist in their attacks against the Lou Nuer and Jikany Nuer.
The recent fighting in Nasir was instigated by the Government of South Sudan, which mobilized tribal militias from the Dinka and Shilluk to attack and disarm the White Army. When the government started to call up the Dinka militia from Upper Nile and Shilluk, the White Army was against it. They said they wanted a unified force of all the Sudanese tribes instead of tribal militias that would be a threat to their community. The government’s rejection of this reasonable objection led them to hire gunships from Uganda to bombard Ulang and Nasir counties. Thankfully, their warships got stuck in the mud in Ulang.
Once government forces in Nasir became aware that their reinforcements were trapped in Ulang, they launched an attack on the community, prompting the White Army to respond and subsequently leading to the capture of the South Sudan military barracks.
So, what justifies the designation of the White Army as a terrorist organization? The Nuer community firmly rejects and dismisses these false allegations against its members. The international community should focus on monitoring the actions of the government of South Sudan rather than vilifying the White Army, as the latter has acted solely in self-defense.
James Tot Mathiang
South Sudanese Canadian
The author is a peace advocate who urges the international community to recognize the White Army’s actions as self-defense and to hold the South Sudanese government accountable for its aggressive behavior.