Equatoria Defense Force

The Equatoria Defense Force (EDF) was a Sudanese militia.^[1]

Area of operation and effectiveness

It operated in the area around Juba and Torit (in modern-day South Sudan) and was perhaps the most politically effective group in the South Sudan Defence Forces.^[1]

Demographics, alignment and supporters

Most of its fighters were Latuku and Lokoya.^[1] It was generally believed that the central government of Sudan supported the EDF.^[1] The EDF signed a merger agreement with the SPLM/A in March 2004, although it was not clear how many EDF fighters accepted it.^[1] The Bor Group consisted primarily of SPLA defectors from South Bor.^[1] The governor of East Equatoria charged in 2006 that remnants of the EDF continued to carry out attacks and be a threat to security because they received arms from the central government of Sudan.^[1]