Four South Sudanese opposition groups have formed a new alliance, the United Fronts Alliance of South Sudan (UFASS), in an effort to coordinate their activities and promote a federal system of government. The groups, which signed a memorandum of understanding on September 30, 2026, are the Hope and Salvation Front/Army (HSFA), the Revolutionary Patriotic Movement/Front (RMP/RPF), the South Sudan United National Front/Army (SSUNF/A), and the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (SSDM/A).
The leaders of the four groups, General Malang Kerubino Kuanyin, Ambassador Adel Sandrai, General Philip Stephen Dak Onwar, and General Dau Deng Ahecyl, signed the agreement in their capacities as chairmen and commanders-in-chief of their respective organisations. According to the agreement, UFASS aims to end the conflict through an inclusive political process, strengthen state institutions and the rule of law, reform the security sector, rebuild the economy, and tackle corruption and impunity.
The UFASS alliance has established a High Council as its supreme decision-making body, comprising the four leaders, the chief of the joint allied forces, and one senior representative from each member group. The alliance will also have an executive leadership made up of a chairperson, deputy chairpersons, and a secretary-general. A secretariat will be responsible for its day-to-day administration and coordination.
Each group will retain its own identity but has agreed to operate under the UFASS banner in national and international engagements. The agreement states that the four groups will coordinate their political, human, and material resources and abide by decisions of the High Council. UFASS will be the sole negotiating platform for the four groups in peace processes, political dialogues, and engagements with international partners.
The UFASS vision is of a peaceful and stable federal South Sudan in which states and regions elect their own leaders, while a president serves as head of state and an executive prime minister is accountable to parliament. However, the memorandum does not provide details on how the proposed system would be introduced or how it would relate to South Sudan's existing political and constitutional arrangements.
The agreement provides for disputes between member groups to be resolved through the High Council and, where necessary, through an independent mediation committee appointed by the council. The memorandum will remain in force until a permanent constitution for the alliance is adopted. Any amendment requires the written consent of all four parties, while any party wishing to withdraw must give 90 days' written notice.
South Sudan's opposition remains fragmented, with several political and armed groups operating inside and outside the country. The formation of UFASS is seen as a step towards a more unified opposition ahead of the planned December 2026 elections. Some groups have formed alliances and called for an inclusive political process.
Key points
- Four South Sudanese opposition groups form United Fronts Alliance of South Sudan (UFASS) to coordinate activities and promote federal system of government.
- UFASS aims to end conflict, strengthen state institutions, and reform security sector.
- Alliance establishes High Council as supreme decision-making body.
