Lt. Col. Stephen J. Karr [left] and the SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen Lul Ruai Koang shake hands at Bilpam Headquarters in Juba, August 19, 2026. (Photo: Army Spokesperson)

The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) Directorate of Media and Public Relations received Lt. Col. Stephen J. Karr, US Army, Defence Official and Defense Attaché at the Embassy of the United States in Juba, for an introductory visit.

According to the SSPDF Spokesperson, the meeting served as the introduction of Lt. Col. Karr following his appointment as the US Army Attaché to the Republic of South Sudan, succeeding Lt. Col. Philip Roll.

During the engagement, Lt. Col. Karr stated the commitment of the United States military mission to maintaining defense relations with the SSPDF.

In response, according to Maj. Gen Lul, the army stated its commitment to cooperation and military-to-military engagement with the U.S. Armed Forces.