SSPDF Transfers Leek Mamer Leek to Juba; Charges Dropped After High-Level Security Meeting
Leek Mamer Leek was peacefully transferred from Baidit in Jonglei State to Juba on 4 January 2026 by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), following direct engagement by senior military officials.
SSPDF Transfers Leek Mamer Leek to Juba; Charges Dropped After High-Level Security Meeting
Leek Mamer Leek was peacefully transferred from Baidit in Jonglei State to Juba on 4 January 2026 by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), following direct engagement by senior military officials.
According to the update, the operation was led by the SSPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for Operations, Gen. Kong Thaou, accompanied by Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak Makol. The two generals reportedly traveled to Baidit village after establishing direct communication with Leek Mamer Leek.
To reassure local residents of Leek’s safety, the Deputy CDF informed the Baidit community that Leek would be taken to the residence of the Senior Presidential Advisor, Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, in Juba. After a brief interaction in the village, Leek was escorted to Bor town, where the delegation held a short meeting with the Governor of Jonglei State before proceeding to the capital. Leek traveled with nine members of his Red Belt group.
Upon arrival in Juba, Leek was taken to Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk’s residence as promised. A high-level security meeting, chaired by Gen. Kuol Manyang, was subsequently convened and attended by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of the National Security Service’s Internal Security Bureau (NSS-ISB), the Deputy CDF, representatives of the Bor community including Secretary-General Mayom Ateny Waai, the Bor Community Youth Association (BCYA) Juba Chairperson, and Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak Makol.
The meeting concluded with a resolution to officially pardon Leek Mamer Leek, with all charges linking him to rebellion being dropped.
Following the meeting, Leek communicated by phone with Bor community representatives before he and his group were taken to accommodation arranged by the SSPDF leadership.
Community leaders have called on the public to refrain from speculation and allow both community leadership and the security sector the space to complete the peace process, as further updates are expected in the coming days.
