South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed grave concern over renewed fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Central Equatoria State, particularly in Morobo and Yei counties.
In a statement issued Friday, UNMISS called for an immediate halt to hostilities, warning that the conflict threatens to further destabilize the country’s already fragile security landscape.
“UNMISS calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and restoration of calm, given already fragile political and security conditions in the country,” the mission said.
It urged all armed actors to prioritise the safety of civilians, de-escalate tensions, and pursue peaceful solutions through dialogue.
“UNMISS appeals to all military actors to refrain from conflict, prioritise the protection of civilians, resolve differences through dialogue, and ensure unimpeded access for peacekeepers to reinforce security,” the statement said.
Violence erupted last week between the two forces in Gulumbe, Panyume and other parts of Morobo County, displacing more than 7,000 people, many of them women, children, and the elderly, who have now sought refuge at the Morobo County administrative headquarters.
On Thursday, Data Charles the Commissioner of Morobo County confirmed that the security situation has since stabilised, adding that the three days of fighting have deeply impacted local communities.
‘’The situation currently in Morobo County is normal like before, although these things happened between SPLA- IO and the SSPDF three days ago in Gulumbi payam, which is 2 km from the centre, and currently there are no gunshots around the County headquarters, and the security has come back to normal,’’ Charles said.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) called on South Sudanese leaders to take immediate action to stop the violence and honour their commitments to peace.
“We still believe our leaders have a significant opportunity to take primary responsibility for transitioning the country from violence to peace, as they have repeatedly promised in public speeches,” Yakani said.
Lam Paul Gabriel, spokesperson of the SPLA-IO said in a statement on Tuesday that that the SSPDF launched aggressive attacks on Tuesday against their positions positions in Yaribe and Yondu with the aim of advancing to Panyume cantonment site in Morobo County.
He said that their forces repulsed the SSPDF inflicting heavy casualties, adding that the government troops retaliated by bombarding civilian property and public buildings in Panyume.
“The SPLA-IO calls upon the civilians in Morobo, Kajo Keji, Lainya and Yei counties to vacate these areas to avoid being caught up in cross fire as this aggression by the SSPDF is meant to continue making the counties to become a zone for operations,” Gabriel said.
Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces told the Dawn on Friday that he was out of office due to the public holiday declared to mourn the late Pope Francis who passed on April 21.
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in opposition have been fighting in Ulang, Wunaliet, Rambur training centers and in areas of the country where SPLA-IO forces are cantoned.
Clashes between the two forces intensified following the killing of 27 SSPDF soldiers on March 7 in Nasir, Upper Nile State, leading to the arrests of Riek Machar and several of his allies.
