South Sudan People's Defense Forces ( SSPDF) formally known as Sudan People Liberation Army/Movement ( SPLA/M) has said there won't be official celebrations to commemorate the Martyrs who rebelled against the Arab regime in  1983. The SPLA was a rebel movement that fought for the independence of South Sudan from the oppressive regime of Sudan for more than two decades. It became the official army of South Sudan after the country gained its independence in 2011.

The SPLA Day was always marked by various activities across the country, including parades, speeches, cultural shows, and sports. The main event was held in Juba, where thousands of people gathered to witness the display of military hardware and skills by the SSPDF.

However, the previous commemorations were also overshadowed by the security and economic challenges facing the young nation. South Sudan is still recovering from a civil war that broke out in 2013 and 2016 between factions of the SPLA. The peace agreement signed in 2018 has not been fully implemented, and some armed groups are still active in some parts of the country.

Moreover, South Sudan is battling a severe economic crisis due to low oil prices, corruption, Communal violence, and global sanctions from world super power like the United States . The inflation rate has reached over 100 percent, making life difficult for many citizens. The country also depends on humanitarian aid to cope with food insecurity, malnutrition, displacement, and disease outbreaks.