South Sudan Clashes Result In 16 Deaths, Over 79,000 Displacement

Clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Nagero County have resulted in at least 16 deaths, including one soldier since the fighting began.

The conflict, which has escalated over the past several days, has also displaced more than 79,000 people, many of whom are seeking refuge in the bush, according to local officials.

Henry Bangada Assaya, the commissioner of Nagero County, confirmed the death toll and reported ongoing violence in the region.

“The fighting was still ongoing even on Wednesday evening. I witnessed heavy military weapons heading to the conflict zone,” Bangada told Xinhua on Thursday. He added that the fighting has spread to Bazia in Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

South Sudan Clash Results In Casualties

Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the SSPDF, explained that the violence erupted after SPLA-IO forces refused to dismantle an illegal checkpoint at Kubri-Boo Bridge.

Initially, the SSPDF believed the conflict stemmed from a few SPLA-IO fighters resisting the removal of the roadblock. However, after the roadblock was taken down, SPLA-IO forces launched an attack on the SSPDF, which was repulsed, but they returned with renewed force.

According to Koang, on Tuesday evening, SPLA-IO forces crossed into SSPDF-controlled territory and ambushed government troops, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuries to three others. The SSPDF later faced additional attacks at Kubri-Boo and Zamoi, continuing throughout the week.

SPLA-IO Accuses SSPDF Of Provoking Conflict

On the other side, Ali Solomon Simon, the SPLA-IO sector commander in Nagero, blamed the SSPDF for provoking the violence. Simon said his forces had been stationed at a cantonment site, awaiting the second phase of unified forces training, when SSPDF soldiers attacked his men.

Simon expressed frustration, saying that a peaceful resolution could have been reached over the roadblock issue. “If they wanted my forces to vacate the roadblock, we should have sat down and discussed it,” he said.

“But now they started a war with my forces. I am disappointed because we are supposed to be implementing the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, but instead, the government soldiers are fighting us.”

Simon also confirmed that the fighting has spread to Bazia, where his forces are currently stationed.

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