Tensions rise in Bentiu as security forces attempt to detain SPLA-IO officer

BENTIU – Tensions flared in South Sudan’s Unity State on Wednesday after security forces allegedly linked to Governor Riek Bim tried to detain a Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) officer, according to opposition officials.

Major Kerbino Yai Pazale, SPLA-IO sector two media officer, said security personnel acting on the governor’s orders approached the residence of 2nd Lieutenant Leek Paul Dor Lampuar at the former Protection of Civilians site in Rubkona.

“Yesterday, a police force coming from Bentiu and acting on the orders of the state governor came and wanted to arrest 2nd Leek Paul and Leek did not comply and so they opened their guns and the clashes were averted at the last minute when the SSPDF division commander intervened. Now as I speak to you, the situation has been handled in a very good way by the division commander and things have returned to normal,” he told Sudans Post.

Pazale said clashes were avoided after Division 4 commander General Matthew Puljang Top ordered the withdrawal of the security forces, who he said didn’t explain why the officer was being targeted.

He added that Leek, deployed at the Bentiu IDP camp as part of the joint police force established in 2020 by the government and SPLA-IO, was in his office when security personnel arrived.

“When they came from Bentiu, he was in his office doing his normal duties because he is part of the joint police deployed at the camp. Up to now, I don’t know the reasons that would make sense for his detention by the governor and that’s what we can say about the situation which happened yesterday,” Pazale said.

The SPLA-IO officer also alleged that security forces were searching for the IDP camp leader Gatkek Kuol, who has since fled his residence to avoid arrest. He warned that the opposition would not accept further violations of IDP camp rules.

“If the government doesn’t want the joint forces to be longer in the IDP camp, then each group should return to their respective unity and that’s the position of the SPLA-IO,” he said.

Pazale further cautioned that if such actions continued, the group would ask the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to reinstate peacekeepers at the camp.

Unity State, a stronghold of the SPLA-IO with bases west of Bentiu and in Dingding, has largely remained calm compared with conflict in Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Greater Equatoria.

When contacted by Sudans Post, SSPDF and state government officials refused to comment over the matter.