Author: James Atem Kuir | Published: 6 hours ago
Red Belt leader Leek Mamer Leek (center) – courtesy image
President Salva Kiir has granted amnesty to 18 members of the so-called Red Belt Vigilante group, according to an order seen by Eye Radio.
The order, dated January 21, 2026, and signed by President Kiir, grants full and absolute amnesty to Leek Mamer Leek, the leader of the Bor-based self-styled community defence group, together with 17 other members.
According to the order, the amnesty extinguishes any criminal liability for acts committed by the group up to the date of the proclamation.
The announcement comes after the leader of the group surrendered to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces early this month.
The order further directed other members of the group to immediately cease hostile activities and stop recruiting new members.
It also directed members not listed in the amnesty to surrender to the nearest military or police outpost within 21 days from the date of issuance of the order.
The order stated that those who surrender within the stipulated timeframe will be processed through the National Reintegration Program and will be guaranteed fair treatment under the law.
The president said failure to surrender within the prescribed period will result in the immediate resumption of full-scale security operations.
According to the order, the government will use all necessary means to ensure the total dissolution of the group and the prosecution of those who refuse this offer of peace and amnesty.
The Red Belt group, whose members wear green distinct attire and describe themselves as a community-based vigilante force, came into the public spotlight in September last year after violent clashes with security forces in Bor town, the capital of Jonglei State.
Several people, including members of the security forces and the group itself, were killed during the clashes.
Following the violence, Jonglei State authorities accused the group of anti-government activities and deployed heavy security forces to crack down on it.
The Chief of Defence Forces, General Paul Nang Majok, later ordered the group to integrate into the army, but the group failed to respond.
He later declared the Red Belt a rebel force, leading to further military operations in Bor town after the army said it confiscated weapons and other military equipment linked to the group during security searches in Juba.
