South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Arich Deng Anyar
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) is in the spotlight following accusations implicating it’s officers in the recent killing of civilians in Nagero County, Western Equatoria State.
Nagero County has been experiencing renewed clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and SSPDF since late 2024. The violence has displaced over 70,000 civilians according to the County Commissioner, Henry Bangada Assaya.
Bangada on Saturday in damning statement accused the SSPDF of killing 7 unarmed civilians on February 7, 2025.
“The South Sudan People’s Defense Force carried out barbaric and inhumane attacks under the command of Major General James Akech Adim, Division 6 Commander, and Brigadier General James Nando,” said Bangada.
He said that the soldiers brutalized civilians, torched homes and looted shops, adding that the Executive Director of Nagero County was also seriously assaulted and is still in critical condition.
“These crimes are not only acts of terror against the people of Nagero County, but also a direct assault on peace, stability and the rule of law. The deliberate destruction of property and livelihoods by those entrusted with the nation’s security is an unacceptable violation of both national and international laws,” said Bangada.
Bangada also noted that homes have been abandoned following the aggression by the soldiers on civilians, with many still hiding in the bushes.
“SSPDF forces have burned civilian homes in Zamoi Payam, parts of Nagero North, and Bandala Payam. They have also looted the Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) in Duma, Bandala and Zamoi, denying the community essential healthcare services,” he said
In addition, Bangada accused the soldiers of raping five women in Nagero town, leaving three others in critical condition.
“I condemn these barbaric and inhuman acts in the strongest term possible. The brutality does not end there. Three traders were violently robbed of their goods and cash amounting to a sum of 17,350,000 SSP,” he said.
Bangada called for the withdrawal of SSPDF forces from Kubiri Bou Bridge to prevent further atrocities against civilians and also allow free movements of people and goods along the road linking Nagero to Wau.
He called for the prosecution of Major General James Akech Adim and Brig. General James Nando for their crimes and also the relocation of SPLA-IO forces for the second phase of training as part of the unification of the national army, in accordance with the peace agreement.
Bangada also urged peace guarantors the Inter-Governmental Authority Development (IGAD), African Union, and the United Nations to urgently intervene and investigate the crimes committed in Nagero County by the warring parties.
