An internal clash within South Sudan’s Unified VIP Protection Force resulted in the deaths of 14 servicemen on the evening of Monday, October 6, in Athony village, located in the contested border area outside the Abyei Box.
The fighting, which broke out at approximately 4:30 PM, is being attributed to a personal dispute—reportedly a love triangle—between two officers, underscoring the fragile security in the volatile buffer zone established by the SSPDF between the Abyei Special Administrative Area and Twic County.
SSPDF spokesperson, Lul Ruai Koang told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday that the incident began as a misunderstanding at a tea place involving an officer from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and a Captain from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
He stated that a report received from local authorities suggests the confrontation was sparked by a love triangle, with both men involved in an affair with the same woman.
The dispute quickly turned fatal when the SPLA-IO officer allegedly opened fire on and killed the SSPDF Captain.
Lul said Bodyguards from both components immediately retaliated, escalating the gunfight from the local market to the main checkpoint and the military barracks.
According to the army the death toll from the clashes stands at 14 servicemen killed: eight from the SSPDF and six from the SPLA-IO. Both officers involved in the initial dispute died in the fighting.
Additionally, five wounded servicemen are currently receiving treatment at Turei-Mother Tereza Hospital. The Commissioner of Twic County also reported that one civilian was killed in the crossfire, though this is pending confirmation against the commander’s official report.
“It appears the conflict was not politically motivated,” Lul stated. “For us to get to the bottom of it, there is need for further investigation to be carried out so that we know, was it a love triangle? Which appears to be the case. But I can assure you that it was not politically motivated.”
The SSPDF spokesperson added that this tragic incident is the first time members of the Unified VIP Protection Force a unit formed in 2019 to symbolize the peace agreement have clashed among themselves.
The incident highlights the persistent instability in the contested region and raises serious concerns regarding discipline within the unified forces, even in cases driven by personal grievances.
