Tensions are high in Jonglei State’s Yuai town as SSPDF soldiers stationed across the border in Duk County reportedly build up to advance on SPLA-IO positions there, local officials said Saturday.
The town of Yuai in Uror County fell to opposition SPLA-IO fighters allied to detained First Vice President Riek Machar on Jan. 2 after intense fighting forced civilians to flee.
The county information director, Majiok Chop, told Radio Tamazuj that the town is now completely vacant of civilians as both sides prepare for a showdown over its control, following a series of airstrikes.
“There is tension between the two rival forces of SPLA-IO in Yuai and SSPDF in Pajut. Several more SSPDF soldiers have arrived in Pajut, sparking tensions, but we don’t know when they will confront each other,” he said. “What is clear is that the town is deserted because of imminent fighting, but since Friday there have been no airstrikes.”
The county official said the majority of the town’s population fled to surrounding villages to seek safety. “Civilians are in villages of Panyok, Koat, Pamai, Wek, Juet, Wanlith, Pabuong, and Pakuiu. No civilians can be seen in Yuai. Their situation remains dire.”
For his part, Duk County Commissioner John Ruei said his county was calm as the presence of SSPDF soldiers provided assurance for their safety.
“What caused fears initially was the withdrawal of SSPDF soldiers from Yuai. However, our security is now good with the presence of SSPDF soldiers in Pajut and Gadiang, assuring residents of safety,” Ruei said.
“Our problem is hunger facing more than 10,000 internally displaced persons, the majority of whom fled from Uror,” he added.
SPLA-IO assures civilians of safety
Meanwhile, Major General John Luk Bayak, the overall commander of SPLA-IO in Jonglei, said their control over Uror and Nyirol was firm.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Yuai, Gen. Luk said the SPLA-IO intends to impose a regime change after failed efforts to implement the 2018 peace deal and asserted that civilians would not be targeted as it advances. The assurance comes amid skepticism from civilians in Bor county, who experienced violence during the 2013 conflict.
The commander also reiterated the SPLM-IO’s dismissal of an order that allegedly sought to seize vehicles belonging to NGOs operating in northern Jonglei State.
“I have been operating in Jonglei for years protecting NGOs, and even recently we urged that NGOs provide assistance to SSPDF prisoners of war. So we cannot target them again,” he stated.
“My signature was forged by government loyalists in Walgak and we are still investigating this. So I would like to tell the public that I didn’t issue such an order.”
Violence has escalated in northern Jonglei since late December in clashes between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters.
Forces from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) have recently captured the towns of Waat and Yuai in the greater Luo Nuer region from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).