In this file photo taken on May 25, 2016 The son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba attends a ceremony in which he was promoted from Brigadier to Major General at the country’s military headquarters in Kampala on May 25, 2016 | Peter Busomoke and Ronald Kabuubi | AFP
UPDF and SSPDF helicopter gunships bombarded Akobo County,
Jonglei State, on Tuesday afternoon, causing civilian panic and displacement,
following a similar attack over the weekend in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
Puok Nyang, the Commissioner of Akobo County, confirmed the
incident in an interview with the Catholic Radio Network (CRN).
“Today at 12.45, we heard the sound of gunship bombing at
the outskirts of Akobo town. Then, when we arrived at the scene, we discovered
that the helicopter gunship was bombing two vehicles coming from Akobo West to
Akobo East,” Nyang confirmed.
The aerial bombardments by the Uganda People’s Defense
Forces (UPDF) and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) surprised
both the civilian population and Akobo County authorities.
This is notable considering the Lou Nuer White Army in Akobo
had been assisting with the extraction and evacuation of SSPDF survivors from
the Nasir conflict after the White Army displaced the SSPDF in Nasir due to
protests over the redeployment of ununified SSPDF forces.
Koat Nyang Banak, leader of the Lou Nuer White Army in
Buong, Akobo County, accompanied eight survivors to Juba, where he handed them
over to the SSPDF.
“It was our surprise because we didn't know that there was
any problem with Akobo County that should let the UPDF and SSPDF gunships bomb
Okobo County,” Nyang said.
When asked about the current situation, Nyang did not report
any casualties, injuries, or immediate damage, nor did he mention further
airstrikes. However, he stated that the incident caused panic and led to the
displacement of several civilians, who fled into the bushes and rivers.
“It was only that incident, but up to now, the civilians and
the civil population are in panic. The children are running. Some of them
ran into the river. Some of them ran into the bush,” continued. “We don’t know
whether there might also be children thrown in the river.”
The extension of bombardments to Akobo County in Jonglei
State has heightened tensions and raised concerns over the security situation
in Upper Nile.
Violence has escalated in recent weeks, with clashes between
UPDF-backed SSPDF and armed youth, resulting in civilian casualties and the
displacement of thousands.
The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), whose helicopter
crew member was killed while evacuating wounded soldiers from Nasir, along with
Maj. Gen. David Majur Dak and 27 SSPDF soldiers, has expressed deep concern.
UNMISS urges all parties to exercise restraint and adhere to
peace agreements to prevent further escalation.
The deteriorating situation in Upper Nile has drawn both regional and international attention, increasing pressure on the warring parties to engage in dialogue and uphold the peace agreement.
