The authorities in Morobo County have strongly denied claims by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) that it has seized key areas of the county, including Bazi and Kaya.
They affirmed that the entire territory remains under the control of the Government of South Sudan.
In a press statement released on Wednesday and extended to the Nile Witness, the Morobo County Commissioner Hon. Charles Data Bullen, dismissed the SPLA-IO’s assertions as “false and misleading,” accusing the armed opposition group of attempting to instill fear and confusion among the civilian population.
“Morobo County remains fully under the control of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan,” Commissioner Bullen stated.
He claimed that the SSPDF has remained steadfast and vigilant, and has successfully maintained control and security across the county, including in the areas in question.
The Commissioner’s remarks come days after SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel claimed that opposition forces had launched an operation in Morobo, allegedly overrunning and burning down the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) base in Bazi.
In an earlier statement on his social media page issued on August 3, Col. Lam said the SPLA-IO was reclaiming areas previously handed over to the SSPDF during the peace implementation process in 2019.
While confirming recent security incidents including the killing of a Kenyan engineer and an attack in Bazi last FridayCommissioner Bullen insisted that such events do not equate to a loss of control.
“These acts, while tragic, do not reflect any shift in territorial authority. The SSPDF continues to fulfill its mandate of protecting the people and securing the county,” the statement read.
The county government urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with local authorities, and continue their daily activities without fear.
The Commissioner also commended the SSPDF for their “bravery and professionalism” in responding to security threats and reiterated the government’s commitment to working with humanitarian partners to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and community resilience.
This latest exchange of claims between government forces and the SPLA-IO highlights the fragile security situation in parts of Central Equatoria, as political tensions and local conflicts threaten to undermine the broader peace process outlined in the 2018 Revitalized Agreement.