At least 17 people were killed and thousands displaced after clashes between government forces and an armed group in Tambura County, Western Equatoria State, over the weekend, officials said.
Tambura County Commissioner Mathew Mabenge confirmed the deaths to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, saying the fighting occurred in Tambura town, Zangia, and Sinakpuro.
“Three civilians, two South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, and 12 armed group members were killed. We have also arrested four suspects,” Mabenge said.
He said government forces recovered 12 AKM rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), and a box of PKM ammunition during the operation. Reinforcements from the SSPDF’s 6th Division in Maridi were deployed to restore order, he added.
The violence has worsened the humanitarian crisis, forcing thousands to flee amid ongoing insecurity.
Lucy Edward, acting county coordinator for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), said urgent aid is needed.
“Hunger is the most immediate concern. People can’t access their farms or find food. Many lives have already been lost,” she said.
Edward said 11 displacement camps had been set up, with 10 housing 249 households. Mopoi Payam shelters more than 2,000 displaced families, while Source Yubu camp holds at least 108 households, she added.
“We’ve submitted a report to humanitarian partners and are waiting for a response. We urge immediate intervention. If nothing is done, those responsible must be held accountable,” Edward said.
In a July 23 letter obtained by Radio Tamazuj, the Balanda Council of Youth (BCY) accused authorities of failing to stop targeted attacks against the Balanda community.
The letter cited multiple incidents, including a July 15 attack in Sanakpuro that injured three people and a July 16 assault in Zangia that left four wounded and two dead.
“Why have these criminals not been pursued or brought to justice? Is this inaction because of their tribal affiliation?” the letter said.
The group also demanded the withdrawal of SSPDF Commander James Nando, alleging his forces were used to suppress the Balanda community.
“Former Governor Alfred Futuyo is from Yambio and has no involvement in this conflict. This is not a government vs. opposition issue. The Balanda have no political alignment—we are simply defending ourselves,” the letter stated.
It ended with a warning: “We want peace, but if the killings continue, we will defend ourselves.”
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), condemned the violence as politically and ethnically motivated.
“Civilians in areas like Sanakpuro, Bangaru, Zangia, and Nabaria are fleeing into the forests without food, shelter, or medical help,” he said.
Yakani accused political and military leaders of fueling ethnic divisions and using starvation as a weapon.
“This violence is orchestrated by individuals in government and military circles pursuing personal agendas,” he said, urging President Salva Kiir to intervene.
SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said he had not yet received a formal report on the clashes.