Residents of Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal state, are calling on the government and opposition forces to reopen a key road that has been blocked for a week following reported clashes.
The Wau-Tambura road was closed at the Bushere Bridge checkpoint south of Wau, disrupting movement and access to essential services for communities along the route.
The closure followed reported fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
A local youth leader from Kpaile Payam, who spoke to Radio Tamazuj Monday on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the blockade was severely impacting the community.
“The main road that links Wau and Tambura has been blocked, and we don’t know the reasons,” he said. “The closure of this road is affecting many lives. Our movement has been restricted.”
In response, Maj. Gen. Moses Arkangelo Mungu of the SPLA-IO Division 6 said he was surprised by the closure and denied his forces were involved in any recent confrontations.
“Last Wednesday, the government closed the road linking Wau to Tambura without our notice,” Mungu said. “Our areas are fully secured and protected. We have not engaged in any clashes with government forces and remain committed to implementing the Revitalized Peace Agreement.”
He urged the SSPDF to respect citizens’ right to free movement, emphasizing the need for peaceful access to farmland and markets.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, said he was not aware of the closure when contacted for comment.
“I am not aware of the closure of the road,” Koang said.
The SSPDF and SPLA-IO have been engaged in clashes in parts of Western Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria states. Last week, the SSPDF launched airstrikes on SPLA-IO positions in Jur River County of Western Bahr el Ghazal, sparking panic and sending civilians fleeing from their homes.