SSPDF Denies Rumors of Military Tension in Bilpam
Rumors of tension in Juba dismissed according to the statement released from the Office of The President of The Republic Of South Sudan.
This afternoon, rumors circulating on social media regarding alleged tensions within the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have been dismissed as unfounded by multiple official sources.
We spoke to a source in Bilpam who, on condition of anonymity, refuted the claims, stating, “Whatever is being peddled on social media is baseless and untrue.” The source confirmed that the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Gen. Santino Deng Wol, has formed a committee to investigate the incident that occurred at Gen. Akol Koor’s residence last week, which reportedly left four people dead. The identities of the committee members are expected to be announced soon, according to our source in Bilpam.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai, also released a statement earlier debunking any suggestions of tension within the army, emphasizing that the situation remains stable. Additionally, the Office of the President has reassured citizens of Juba about the peaceful security status. Press Secretary Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel issued a statement urging the public to ignore misinformation and continue their daily routines without fear.
“The security situation in the capital, Juba, remains calm and peaceful,” the statement read. “We encourage citizens to rely on credible sources of information such as the police and the army.”
South Sudanese social media was awash with rumors of a potential military confrontation following an alleged fallout between CDF Gen. Santino Deng Wol and the Director-General of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), Lt. Gen. Marshall Stephen Babanen, after an alleged suspension of Lt. Gen. Babanen. Authorities have reiterated the importance of avoiding unverified rumors, emphasizing their potential to create unnecessary panic and disrupt the prevailing peace.
Army Dispels Alleged Tension in Bilpham
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) has dismissed rumors circulating online that claimed Military Intelligence (MI) Chief, General Stephen Marshall, was suspended by the Chief of Defense Forces, General Santino Deng Wol.
The rumor, which spread through social media, suggested that tensions were escalating near military headquarters in Bilpam and the Newsite residential areas after General Marshall allegedly refused to comply with an order for his suspension over an assassination attempt against former spymaster, General Akol Koor Kuc.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the spokesperson for the SSPDF, swiftly rejected the claims, stating that they were entirely false.
“General Stephen Marshall has not been suspended, and he hasn’t been detained. Furthermore, there is no tension in Newsite and Bilpam resulting from this rumor. These are baseless rumors spread by warmongers.”
The rumors came on the heels of heavy gunfire in Juba last Thursday night, which led to the deaths of four people, including two soldiers and two civilians.
Reassurance on the Security Situation in Juba
Statement from Lily Adhieu Martin, Press Secretary in the Office of the President reassuring Juba residents of “calm and peaceful” security situation.
“The Office of the President would like to reassure the public that the security situation in the capital, Juba, remains calm and peaceful.
As you may have heard earlier from the Spokesperson of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), the rumors of tension within the military headquarters are baseless and untrue. We strongly urge all citizens to ignore any misinformation or unverified reports suggesting unrest.
Such rumors are not only false but are fabricated to create unnecessary panic and disrupt the peace and normalcy in the city. We encourage the public to go about their daily activities with confidence and to rely only on credible sources of information such as police and the army.”
