Fighting has broken out between government and opposition forces in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, officials said.
The clashes occurred on Monday morning in Nyirol County, involving the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO).
Peter Gatkuoth Koang, the SPLA-IO-appointed commissioner for Nyirol County, told Radio Tamazuj that their base in Riang Payam was attacked by SSPDF forces in the early hours of Monday.
“Our forces were attacked by the SSPDF forces in Riang Payam this morning. The fighting was intense, and we managed to repulse the government forces and they returned to Pading,” he said.
Gatkuoth, who also serves on the SPLM-IO’s National Liberation Council (NLC), warned of further escalation. He stated that SPLA-IO forces would only stop fighting when their leader, Dr. Riek Machar, is released and once SSPDF soldiers vacate Lou Nuer areas.
“We are ordering the SSPDF soldiers in Yuai and other Lou Nuer areas to vacate. As we speak, our forces took charge of Pathai after the SSPDF soldiers there vacated,” he said.
“So we want the SSPDF to peacefully vacate our areas. However, if Machar’s detention continues we may march on government positions including those in Bor.”
Today’s fighting in Riang Payam comes a week after SPLA-IO forces captured the town of Waat from the SSPDF.
Sources in neighbouring Uror County told Radio Tamazuj there were fears of an imminent attack on the SSPDF-held town of Yuai, its county headquarters.
Local residents have accused the government-appointed commissioner of mobilising the local community, specifically the Cie-Maikir community, to prepare for an attack and repulse any SPLA-IO advance.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, could not be reached for comment.
Several attempts to contact James Bol Makuey, the government-appointed commissioner of Nyirol County – whom the SPLA-IO accuses of instigating the renewed fighting – were unsuccessful.
The renewed violence threatens to destabilise further a region already suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis.