JUBA – Clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the National Salvation Front (NAS), as well as separate fighting between the SSPDF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), have left nine soldiers dead and 18 wounded in Central and Western Equatoria states, the army said on Monday.
SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang told reporters at the army headquarters in Juba that NAS fighters launched an attack on an army position in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria, while SSPDF forces also encountered resistance from SPLA-IO fighters in Western Equatoria. He linked the clashes with SPLA-IO to disputes over checkpoints.
“On February 9, 2025, at around 6 a.m., NAS rebels attacked our position at Jalmon village in Kongapo 2 Payam, Kajokeji County, Central Equatoria State. The surprise attack resulted in the deaths of three servicemen and left two civilians shot and wounded,” Koang said.
Koang also reported an attack against civilians in Kajokeji, in which two children from the same family were thrown into a burning house. The surrounding village was set ablaze, and the children were burned beyond recognition, he said.
In Western Equatoria, Koang said that SSPDF forces faced a series of ambushes around the Kubri Bou area of Nagero County as they sought to dismantle what he described as “illegal checkpoints and roadblocks” erected by the SPLA-IO. He characterized the SPLA-IO’s refusal to remove these checkpoints as the cause of the renewed violence.
“The first time we began taking casualties was on February 14, between Bou and Nagero. One soldier was killed, and three were wounded. We managed to break through and arrived the next day. On February 15, our forces patrolling from Bou to Wau were attacked again by SPLA-IO fighters, resulting in one soldier being wounded,” he stated.
Koang said the commander of Division 6, responsible for security in Western Equatoria and tasked with enforcing a presidential order to remove checkpoints, was attacked, leaving two soldiers injured.
“Our position at Bou was attacked twice on the same day, but our forces repelled the attackers with support from regional forces. In that engagement, one soldier was wounded,” he said, also reporting an attack on an army supply convoy.
“On February 2, a Toyota Land Cruiser carrying food rations successfully delivered supplies but was ambushed on its way back. Three soldiers were killed, and 11 others were wounded,” he said.
Koang added that additional SSPDF troops were killed along the Wau-Tonj road but did not provide further details.
There was no immediate comment from NAS or SPLA-IO, which is a key partner in the country’s revitalized peace agreement. The violence underscores ongoing tensions between government forces and armed groups despite the country’s fragile peace process.
