South Sudan Military Leader Warns Against Ethnic Violence as Civil War Fears Mount
Juba, 25 January 2026
General Stephen Buay Rolnyang has condemned fellow military commander Johnson Olony’s orders to ‘spare no lives’ during planned operations in Lou Nuer areas of Jonglei State. The explosive directive, which explicitly called for killing civilians including the elderly, has sparked fierce criticism and warnings of ethnic violence. Rolnyang accused the government of manufacturing tribal conflict to distract from governance failures, urging opposition forces not to be used as instruments by what he termed a ‘divisive and failing government’. The confrontation highlights deepening fractures within South Sudan’s military leadership as the country teeters on the brink of renewed civil war, threatening the fragile 2018 peace agreement.
Inflammatory Orders Spark Military Condemnation
The controversy erupted on 24 January 2026 when General Johnson Olony Thabo, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) Assistant Chief of Defence Forces for Mobilisation and Disarmament, issued explicit orders to government troops in Baidit preparing for deployment to Lou Nuer areas in northern Jonglei State [1]. Olony’s directive instructed forces to ‘spare no lives’, including civilians, children, and the elderly, whilst also ordering the destruction of property and livestock [1][2]. His inflammatory remarks included the statement: ‘This [battle] will mark the end of problems in the Upper Nile region. When we arrive there, don’t spare an elderly person, don’t spare a chicken, don’t spare a house, or anything. We are tired of problems every year until we grow old in problems’ [1]. General Stephen Buay Rolnyang, Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A), responded with sharp condemnation on the same day, describing Olony’s remarks as ‘reckless and dangerous’ and constituting ‘grave incitement to violence against civilians’ [3].
Accusations of Government Manipulation and Ethnic Division
Rolnyang’s criticism went beyond merely condemning the violent rhetoric, positioning the controversy within broader accusations of governmental manipulation. The SSPM/A leader characterised Olony’s statements as ‘a reckless attempt to inflame ethnic tensions and pit the communities of South Sudan against one another, serving the interests of a regime seeking to obscure its failures through tribal conflict’ [3][2]. On 23 January 2026, one day before his formal condemnation, Rolnyang had warned that the government was attempting to use armed civilians to lure opposition groups into conflict, calling on opposition forces to recognise these ‘tribalist provocations’ and focus on national political change instead of inter-communal violence [3]. The SSPM/A commander specifically appealed to armed elements from the Dinka and Shilluk communities, urging them not to participate in what he described as a ‘manufactured war’, declaring: ‘This is not your war. Do not be used as instruments of a divisive and failing government’ [3][2].
Escalating Military Crisis Threatens Peace Agreement
The military confrontation has intensified following recent battlefield developments that have raised the stakes considerably. The SPLA-IO recently captured the SSPDF Pajut barracks, taking 23 prisoners of war and seizing military machinery [1]. In response, SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces General Paul Nang Majok ordered the recapture of Pajut and SPLA-IO strongholds within seven days, demanding that opposition forces surrender or face forceful disarmament [1]. This military escalation has prompted significant concern from international observers, with Graham Maitland, the deputy special representative of the UN Secretary-General for political affairs, reporting that renewed conflict which began in December 2025 between the SPLM-IO and SSPDF in Jonglei State has already displaced more than 180,000 people, mostly women, children, and the elderly [1]. The humanitarian crisis has worsened significantly, with hundreds subjected to abduction and sexual violence increasing by 40 per cent compared to 2024 [1].
Refugee and Civilian Impact Considerations
The escalating violence poses severe consequences for both existing refugee populations and potential new displacement. The current military mobilisation in Jonglei State raises immediate fears of renewed clashes and civilian displacement, with heightened military activity creating dangerous conditions for vulnerable populations [3]. Observers warn that inflammatory rhetoric by senior commanders risks further destabilising the security environment, potentially forcing more civilians to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring areas [3]. The SSPM/A has reaffirmed its commitment to civilian protection regardless of ethnicity and emphasised that ‘the Nuer people, like all South Sudanese, have an inherent right to self-defence and a long history of resilience’, warning that any attempt to threaten their existence or force them from their land ‘is unacceptable and will be resisted’ [2]. The organisation has maintained its position supporting a united South Sudan and pursuing ‘a just and sustainable political solution’ whilst condemning violations of international humanitarian law that endanger civilian populations [2][3].