South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Human rights organizations are condemning a series of airstrikes in Mayom and Fangak Counties, labeling them unlawful and calling for international accountability amid rising violence and civilian casualties.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, an airstrike allegedly carried out by Antonov aircraft struck a grazing area near Mayom County in Unity State. Local officials reported that the targeted area was largely uninhabited, but conflicting accounts have emerged regarding potential casualties.
The Pan-African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA) and the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) issued a joint statement condemning the attacks and alleging involvement by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).
Human rights groups reported that local eyewitnesses claimed six civilians were killed and twelve others injured in the Mayom strike. Although this information has not been independently verified, the organizations assert that the attacks could amount to war crimes.
“This act constitutes a war crime against humanity,” the statement read. “It confirms that the government has declared war on its own citizens, who have not taken up arms against the state. What moral justification exists for killing their own people?”
PAPA and CPA are urging the international community to investigate the strikes and hold the South Sudanese government and its alleged allies accountable.
“We urge the Government of South Sudan to immediately cease the bombing of civilians and respect its responsibility to protect,” they said. “The government must adhere to humanitarian laws and international human rights standards and recommit to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).”
The two organizations also called for renewed dialogue among signatories to the peace agreement, emphasizing the need for a sustained commitment to the rule of law and the protection of civilians.
The Commissioner of Mayom County, James Liliy Kuol, confirmed the incident in an interview on Wednesday.
“There was a bombardment yesterday, on the 6th of May but There are no reports of deaths since it is an open area. The location is known as Lou, a grazing land between Mayom and Eastern Gogrial, where people do not live.” Kuol said.
Kuol added that the strike may have targeted armed youth who had reportedly raided cattle in Warrap State a day earlier.
“On May 5th, some criminals raided cattle in Eastern Gogorial,” he said. “Early the next morning, they clashed with youth from the Cattle Army and were retreating toward Mayom. That’s when the Antonov bombed them three times, but it was far from any residential area.”
Commissioner Kuol stated that it remains unclear to which government or entity the Antonov aircraft belongs.
“We don’t recognize that Antonov or which government it is for,” he noted, mentioning that another aircraft returned to the area early Wednesday for further surveillance.
As investigations continue, tensions remain high across Unity and Jonglei States, raising fears of further violence and the potential collapse of ongoing peace efforts.
In contrast, SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai issued a statement saying, “This brief statement serves to inform all media agencies that, as of now, the SSPDF command has no comments to make on reported strategic bombing raids in Fangak and Mayom Counties of Jonglei and Unity States, respectively.”
