President Salva Kiir Mayardit addressing the nation on the state of the security situation in Nasir County. | Photo: President’s Press Unit|.
South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, confirmed to the media the killing of the top commander of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), Gen. Majur Dak Thel and several soldiers in Nasir County of Upper Nile State.
This followed the spate of military tensions between the SSPDF and the White Army elements (roughly a group of armed tribal vigilantes) predominantly in Nasir and Ulang counties.
President Kiir accused the SPLA-IO (South Sudan People’s Liberation Army In-Opposition) under the command of First Vice President Riek Machar, for killing Gen. Majur and his fighters.
At least 28 soldiers, including the army commander, were killed during the attack.
Addressing the journalists at the state house on Friday, 7 March evening, President Kiir said the military garrison in Nasir was attacked by the White Army under the command of the SPLA-IO despite assurances from Machar that the SPLA-IO will not attack the army base.
He said following the attack, the commander managed to hold his ground with the few remaining officers and men in tanks and trenches before the UN helicopter was dispatched on an evacuation mission after the agreement reached between the parties to the conflict and the UN special representative in the country.
“Gen. Majur Dak Thel, the commander of the forces, managed to hold his ground with the few remaining officers and men in tanks and trenches. Dr. Riek himself called Commander Gen. Majur Dak Thel and told him to surrender to the SPLA-IO forces; however, Gen. Majur and his men refused to surrender,” Kiir said.
“Dr. Riek assured me and the UN representative in the country that the General Majur will be safe, and the UN rescue mission should fly to Nasir and evacuate General Majur and his men. On 6 March 2025, the UN helicopters flew to Nasir but came under fire upon landing, the second attempt the SPLA-IO troops were told to at least retreat 300 metres to allow the plane to land, it still came under fire while taking off, but managed to rescue 11 officers and men, while the Gen. Majur opted to be evacuated last,” he explained.
President Kiir disclosed that this morning, (7 March) two UN helicopters flew to Nasir while onboarding the army general and the officers they came under heavy fire again.
“I am therefore, informing the nation that in this process we have lost General Majur Dak Thel, and the officers. Only one pilot and a crew member survived. One of the planes managed to take off; however, it crashed and landed in Malakal and killed all the passengers,” he announced.
Kiir appealed to the public to remain calm and pledged not to take the country back to war.
He also urged the citizens not to take law into their own hands, assuring that the government will handle this crisis.
“We will remain steadfast in the path of peace. My condolences go to the bereaved families of the General and his men,” he concluded.
