Oyet Nathaniel’s War Gamble: A Direct Threat to South Sudan’s Fragile Peace
By Abraham Madit Majak
South Sudan teeters on the edge of a dangerous precipice. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the self-proclaimed acting Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/A-IO, has declared war against the government at a time when the party’s legitimate leader, Dr. Riek Machar, remains under house arrest, facing charges tied to the Nasir case. This is not merely an internal power struggle—it is a reckless act that threatens to ignite violence across the country.
Nathaniel’s declaration exposes the deep fractures within SPLM/A-IO, a party already weakened by years of infighting and mistrust. By sidelining the recognized leadership, he is attempting to assert authority through force rather than consensus. Left unchecked, such actions risk pulling South Sudan back into the chaos that the 2018 peace agreement was meant to end.
This is a warning to all actors: the people of South Sudan cannot afford another cycle of war. Nathaniel’s gambit is not simply political maneuvering—it is a destabilizing threat. Communities still scarred by the Nasir violence cannot withstand renewed conflict, and any escalation of military action would have immediate and catastrophic consequences.
Nathaniel must understand that political ambition does not justify endangering an entire nation. South Sudan’s future depends on restraint, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. Its people deserve peace—not threats, bullets, and renewed suffering.
History will judge those who, in these critical days, chose to escalate tensions over dialogue, and those who allowed ambition to override responsibility. Nathaniel’s declaration is a wake-up call: South Sudan cannot survive another self-inflicted political crisis. The time to act is now—before this gamble turns into tragedy.
Opinions expressed in articles published by RSSVP are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Rescue South Sudan Village People. RSSVP assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, validity, or reliability of claims made by contributors.
Author Bio
Abraham Madit Majak is a South Sudanese writer and political commentator with a strong focus on governance, peace processes, and civic accountability. He regularly contributes to public discourse on South Sudan’s political transition, the role of state institutions, and the responsibilities of leadership during critical reform and nation-building periods.
