27/02/2025
Joint Defense Board meetings delayed by leadership changes, says L*l.
The restructuring in government and security leadership has delayed the Joint Defense Board (JDB) meetings, affecting peace efforts.
Maj. Gen. L*l Ruai Koang, the spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), confirmed that leadership changes were the primary reason behind the delays. “You remember a lot of changes happened. The restructuring of the NTC saw Hon. Kuol Manyang Juuk replace Hon. Tut Gatluak, and security leadership roles were also redefined,” the army spokesperson said.
These adjustments, according to Gen. L*l, disrupted the JDB’s routine meetings, which were previously held regularly.
The reorganization of the security command has further complicated matters. “The roles that Tut held peace implementation, NTC leadership, and security advisory were separated. Now, a new security advisor has taken over, and the JDB will soon resume full operations,” Maj. Gen L*l explained.
The first meeting held after the changes primarily served as an orientation session for the new Chief of Defense Forces, delaying urgent discussions on security matters.
Despite these setbacks, Gen. L*l assured that progress is being made. “Gen. Kuol has already briefed the JDB,” he said. “As soon as the JDB is fully operational, the chair will convene a meeting with the heads of organized forces to begin implementation.” The hope is that with leadership transitions stabilizing, the JDB will soon be in a position to tackle pressing security issues, particularly the ongoing conflicts in Ulang, Nasir County, and Western Equatoria.
Recently, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) raised concerns over coordination within the JDB.
In a statement released on January 12, SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel responded to Gen. L*l’s remarks, particularly regarding the removal of illegal checkpoints in Western Equatoria State. He pointed out that there was no consensus between the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and the Deputy CDF of the SSPDF—who also serves as the Chief of General Staff of the SPLA-IO—over which force should be deployed in Kubri Bou.
Meanwhile, Hon. Puot Kang Chol, a senior member of the SPLM-IO and the Minister for Petroleum expressed concern over the Joint Defense Board’s (JDB) inaction in addressing conflicts in Western Equatoria and Upper Nile states.
The minister stated that the JDB, responsible for command and control under the peace agreement, has failed to convene meetings to resolve the escalating tensions.
“The JDB is charged by the agreement with the responsibility of command and control. It’s not sitting because the chairperson cannot take permission from anybody,” he noted.
With unresolved security issues and ongoing conflicts, the need for a fully functional JDB is more urgent than ever, with the hope that with the new leadership in place, the board will soon resume its critical role in ensuring peace and stability in South Sudan.
