In a significant turn of events, South Sudan's military has successfully recaptured the strategic town of Nasir in Upper Nile State, a location previously lost to the contentious White Army militia in March. This takeover comes in the wake of severe clashes that led to the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, further complicating an already fragile political landscape.

The ongoing power-sharing government between President Salva Kiir and Machar has been tense since the peace deal in 2018, which aimed to quell a civil war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The latest developments have raised concerns of a resurgence in conflict, particularly as Machar has faced accusations of inciting rebellion through his alleged endorsement of the White Army militia.

Military and White Army spokespeople provided conflicting narratives surrounding the recapture of Nasir. The government stated that the assault took place without resistance, while Honson Chuol James, a spokesperson for the White Army, insisted that their withdrawal was merely tactical. James claimed that the incident was marred by violence, revealing that 17 individuals lost their lives during intense bombardment in the nearby village of Thuluc.

ARMY spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang praised the military’s strategic operations, noting that their ability to avoid ambushes relied heavily on crucial air support. “They were spotted when they were grouping, and they were fired on, and then they dispersed,” Koang reported, emphasizing the effectiveness of the military’s coordination during the operation.

Heightening the atmosphere of uncertainty, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni made a visit to Juba earlier this month, following the deployment of Ugandan troops aimed at enhancing security in South Sudan's capital amidst growing political unrest. His son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who commands Uganda's military, asserted that forces have claimed to have eliminated 1,500 fighters from the White Army, a group that previously allied with Machar’s forces during the civil conflict.

Additionally, the political stability of Machar’s party, the SPLM-IO, faces challenges as factions within the organization appear to be fracturing. One faction has publicly announced a temporary replacement of Machar as party chairman, while the military wing asserts their unwavering loyalty to their detained leader. This internal discord signifies not only the volatility of Machar’s position but also the broader challenges facing South Sudan as it continues to navigate through a tumultuous political landscape.