The governor of Upper Nile State, James Koang Chuol has suspended the commissioner James Gatluak Lew Thiep.
According to gubernatorial order date 4th of April 2025 extended to the Media, Governor Chuol suspended Commissioner of Nasir County with immediate effect.
“I, H.E. James Koang Chuol Ranlay, Governor of Upper Nile State, do hereby issue this Gubernatorial Decree No. 03/2025 for the suspension of Hon. James Gatluak Lew Thiep, Commissioner of Nasir County, with effect from the fourth of April, 2025 AD,” the Decree Partly read.
The Commissioner of Nasir County came to power under SPLM-IO ticket.
The reason for the suspension was not mentioned; however, Nasir County of Upper Nile state remains a disputed zone between the South Sudan People Defense Forces and the White Army alleged to be backup by the Sudan People Liberation in Movement/ Army (SPLM/A-IO).
However, after suspension sources in Upper Nile state claims that Nasir commissioner is still working at his office without any threat of being suspended since the occupant of the Nasir are the white Army and the SPLM/A-IO forces.
Clashes broke out in the South Sudan town of Nasir between members of the South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Armed youth on 3 March 2025, resulting in the capture of the town’s army barracks by the White Army(Army youth).
During an SSPDF evacuation attempt on 7 March, helicopters belonging to the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) came under fire, resulting in significant causalities.
The clashes have had major political consequences, leading to arrest of dozens of politicians affiliated with the SPLM-IO believed to be hind or in support the conflict
