Residents of Bagari Payam in Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, have fled their homes following the deployment of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) troops to the area, with homes and public facilities reportedly looted, the county’s paramount chief said.
Emilio Ulau Baggari, the paramount chief of Wau County, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that residents fled on Tuesday after hearing gunfire in the Bringi area, triggering fears of clashes and forcing civilians to seek refuge in nearby forests.
He said the situation worsened after government troops entered Bagari Payam, prompting residents to abandon their homes.
“The troops arrived on Tuesday, and people had already fled their homes. As we speak, nobody is at home in the payam. People have fled Bagari because the forces are attacking,” Baggari said.
He reported that residents’ homes, a health centre, a women’s centre and the local court had been looted or vandalised.
Baggari said he did not yet have sufficient information about the full extent of the damage and losses, adding that residents remained too afraid to return to their homes.
“There was heavy gunfire in the Bagari area, indicating a confrontation around Bagari, and all civilians fled their homes,” he added.
The paramount chief called on state authorities to intervene and restore security, while urging humanitarian organisations to provide urgent assistance to affected residents, particularly women, children, older people and other vulnerable groups whose property had reportedly been looted.
Radio Tamazuj was unable to reach the Wau County commissioner or officials of the SSPDF’s 5th Infantry Division for comment on the reported looting and circumstances surrounding the deployment.
The deployment came as the national government moved to implement a disarmament campaign recently announced by President Salva Kiir. On Tuesday, the SSPDF deployed additional troops to Wau County as part of the operation.
Major General Wol Dhel Theip, deputy commander of the SSPDF’s 5th Infantry Division, said the deployment was part of a disarmament operation in the county, adding that similar exercises would be conducted in other states under directives from the national government.
The security developments come as South Sudan prepares for voter registration ahead of general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026. The National Elections Commission (NEC) has identified 3,161 voter registration centres across the country and is preparing to launch the registration exercise.
Wau County also has a presence of SPLA-IO forces belonging to Division 6A.
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