JUBA – A fresh wave of violence has erupted in Nagero County in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State as armed clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) intensified, leaving Nagero town deserted and forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes.
The Executive Director of Nagero County, Mr. Bernard Gabriel Amin, confirmed the Monday’s attack and attributed it to SPLA-IO forces advancing from Miaba.
“The renewed attack started on Monday morning, while people have been in the bush for over a week now because of the previous attacks. People have not had access to food, shelter, clean water, or medical care,” Amin told Sudan Post.
He noted that the SPLA-IO and SSPDF are not stationed in the same location, complicating efforts to contain the violence.
“The SPLA-IO forces are moving across Nagero. If the SSPDF goes to one area, the SPLA-IO relocate. Today, the SPLA-IO shot two cows. The situation is terrible,” Amin said.
He added that local farms have been abandoned, causing groundnuts and maize to regrow untended. Attempts to retrieve food from these farms pose a deadly risk.
“Anyone trying to access food for their children could be killed. We are calling for urgent intervention from the state and national government,” Amin pleaded.
During Sunday mass at the Lutheran Church, the Acting Governor of Western Equatoria State, H.E. Justin Joseph Marona, addressed the crisis, assuring citizens that authorities are working to restore control in Ketiba and Nagero.
“I encourage those in the bush to stop attacking and killing. Dialogue is the best solution,” Marona said. “Come home, join your families, and help build a better future.”
The fighting in Nagero County broke out on Sunday, September 27, when forces from the SPLA-IO reportedly attacked an SSPDF barracks.
Local authorities said the assault, which took place around 5:30 a.m., initially left one government soldier injured and triggered widespread fear among residents.
As a result, hundreds of civilians fled into the bush, where they have remained amid rife insecurity in the area.
Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that SSPDF forces had repelled the attack and maintained control of the military post.
However, the latest reports indicated that clashes have resumed on Monday this week, piling more humanitarian misery on an already embattled community.
