A fresh wave of clashes across multiple states in South Sudan has prompted conflicting reports from the country’s two main military factions, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).
Both sides are trading accusations of violating the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, raising concerns about the fragility of the peace process.
In a press release issued today, SPLA-IO spokesperson Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel detailed several recent confrontations.
He claimed that SPLA-IO forces on the morning of September 2 intercepted a joint operation of SSPDF, National Police, and National Security Service (NSS) forces attempting to attack an SPLA-IO position in Wunaliet, Juba County of Central Equatoria State.
According to Col. Lam, the SPLA-IO “defeated and scattered” the government forces, killing seven SSPDF soldiers, including a Colonel identified as Juma Festo, who had previously defected from the opposition.
The SPLA-IO also reported a separate incident on September 1 in Longechuk County, Upper Nile State.
Lam stated that their forces launched a “precise and swift attack” on SSPDF positions in the town of Mathiang, inflicting “heavy casualties” before withdrawing for “tactical reasons.”
He further alleged that on August 31, the SPLA-IO successfully repelled a joint attack by the SSPDF and the Agwelek militia in Tonga, pushing them back with “heavy losses.”
In a rebuttal the SSPDF, however, presented a franklydifferent account. Acting SSPDF Spokesman Colonel GarangAteny Alier denied the SPLA-IO’s claims and accused them of being the aggressors.
Speaking to AFP, Alier stated that the SPLA-IO carried out three attacks on the same day in Mathiang on September 1 but failed to “flush out the SSPDF.” He said that the government forces remained in control of the area and that the situation has “calmed.”
Alier also provided casualty figures, asserting that the SSPDF had only four killed, while the SPLA-IO lost over ten of their fighters in the Mathiang clashes. He described the SPLA-IO forces as a “militia” that is “not well trained.”
The SSPDF spokesman also commented on the situation in Central Equatoria, stating that the SSPDF did not attack any SPLA-IO position in Wunaliet.
He confirmed that Wunaliet is a secure area under SSPDF control, serving as a training center for a new peacekeeping force. He accused the SPLA-IO of “usually coming and attacking” the area.
Alier further placed the blame for the renewed violence squarely on the SPLA-IO, stating, “SPLA-IO is the one actually violating the cessation of hostilities agreement because we do not move out from our barracks, or positions but they are the one violating the revitalized peace agreement.”
He called on peace monitors to investigate the matter.
Despite the recent fighting, Alier maintained that the overall security situation across Upper Nile State and in Mathiang is “normal,” with citizens able to carry out their daily activities.