Hundreds of civilians have been displaced in Greater Mundri, Western Equatoria State, following recent military operations, with displaced residents accusing the army of looting and burning homes, according to community sources.
Residents said the SSPDF operations forced people from several villages to flee to Lui in Mundri West County. The affected areas include Doso, Lakamadi, Wandi and Kediba payams in Mundri East County.
Many of those displaced — mostly women, children and the elderly — have been sheltering in churches and schools in the area of Lakamadi for more than a week without adequate food, water or medical assistance, the sources said.
A community member from Mundri East County, Nyarango Wala Gune, alleged that local authorities deployed the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), which then attacked villages.
“Many families have been displaced and are hiding in the forest. Others are locked inside churches and schools in Lakamadi without food for six days,” Nyarango told Radio Tamazuj. “My appeal to the county commissioner is to stop involving the army in community matters and to use legal means to resolve local disputes.”
“The commissioner is accusing the community of Lakamadi of raiding his cattle, so he should not focus on that issue. If his cattle have been raided, he cannot just call the SSPDF to come and displace the community,” she said.
Other residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, alleged that soldiers looted cattle, furniture and household items and burned down several homes.
Mundri East County Commissioner John Henry denied the allegations, saying the displacement resulted from clashes between government forces and rebel groups that erupted on Sept. 30.
“The SSPDF were deployed to protect civilians and restore order after fighting erupted,” Henry said. “They did not come to attack the community. The conflict between the SPLM-IO, NAS and SSPDF caused the displacement.”
He said more than 30,000 people have been affected by the fighting and appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance.
“Our people need food, medicine and shelter. We have appealed to NGOs, but no one has responded so far,” he said.
The Greater Mundri area has recently witnessed clashes between the SSPDF and a joint force of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the National Salvation Front (NAS).
Thomas Aringa Paul, deputy chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Western Equatoria State, confirmed the displacement, saying many families from Mundri East have fled to Mundri West and Nagero counties, while others are hiding in the bush.
“The situation is critical. No humanitarian organization has come to assist the displaced people, and many are suffering without basic needs,” Aringa said. “We are still compiling the total number of those affected.”
The SSPDF spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
Radio Tamazuj could not independently verify the claims of looting or house burnings.