UNMASKING THE RED BELT: Community Defense or Security Threats

WHY IS EQUATORIA MENTIONED?

September 2, 2025

Many South Sudanese tribes have vigilante groups, particularly in cattle-keeping communities. Based on their mandates, it is clear that each group aims to protect and defend its community from neighbouring raiders. Communities like the Dinka, Nuer, and Murle have such groups, and their long-standing conflicts over resources suggest this is a survival mechanism.

From my experience, South Sudan's community insecurity worsened in 2017 when the economy collapsed due to unresolved civil conflicts. Youths formed groups with different names, such as the Toronto, West Coasts, Black Mambas, and Invincible Scorpions, in Juba and other major cities. In Nimule, many of these youths brought ideas from Juba's Sherikat suburb after escaping arrest or internal disputes. Today, gangs are widespread in major towns and cities. 

Recently, the Red Belt group emerged in Bor, disrupting a peaceful tournament and attacking the National Security Services (NSS). They claimed government provocation, prompting the NSS to face the force head-on. Pictures and videos showed the group's organisation, with a commanding officer ranked as a brigadier general. First, the group was seen as an organised gang. Given its structure, it is natural to wonder if Red Belt is a gang, a vigilante or a rebel group.

The community denies rebel affiliations, stating they are a defence force against the Murle and Equatorians. However, this raises questions: Why mention Equatorians? When did Equatoria become an enemy to the Bor people that warrants a defensive position? Why target a peaceful tournament or commit crimes against Bar El Ghazal traders? Why accuse the governor, the state's security head? Why did it attack Mongala/Mongiri, as reported by the state's press office?

Another begging question is, is there any law in South Sudan that allows the establishment of vigilantes or community defence forces without the authorisation of the state or national government? Should a group emerge without being officially registered as a community defence force? 

It is hard to deny that Red Belt may be a vigilante or rebel group if these questions remain unanswered. Without security expertise, common sense suggests Red Belt leans toward being a rebel group. Whatever the excuses, time will tell. As long as vigilante groups exist among communities, people's security does not depend on this particular group. All organised vigilante groups are an insecurity and a threat to peace.

Red Belt Group

END.

Abunerry, Ayella.

Writer, Critic, and Teacher