The commissioner of Akobo County in Jonglei State has fled to the Greater Pibor Administrative Area after forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) captured the town on Monday following renewed clashes in the area.
Commissioner James Kueth Makuach said he had
reached Lilkangole County in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and was safe
after fighting erupted on April 13.
In a video statement, Makuach said he was received by local
authorities and was under the protection of officials in the administrative
area.
“We feel safe here. On 13 April, there was fighting that
happened in Akobo whereby the SSPDF withdrew tactically and came to Muok. From
there, I proceeded to the GPAA. I am still alive,” Makuach said.
The South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF)
spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, said on Tuesday that army would not yet
issue a formal statement on the fighting in Akobo.
“Due to fluidity of security situation in Akobo and
surrounding areas, the Office of SSPDF Spokesperson, as of now, wouldn't
release a press statement on yesterday's military engagements,” Koang said.
“The nation will be updated, once, all missing links are
successfully put together.”
Meanwhile, civil society organisations across South Sudan’s
10 states and three administrative areas have called for an immediate end to
hostilities in Jonglei State, warning that the renewed clashes could worsen
humanitarian conditions.
The groups urged the parties to protect civilians and
implement the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South
Sudan (R-ARCSS), the 2018 peace deal intended to end years of conflict in the
country.
They said continued violence risks further displacement and suffering for civilians in the region.