The spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, has denied reports of clashes with SPLA-IO forces in Nagero County, Western Equatoria State. He also refuted claims about the road to Western Bahr el-Ghazal State being closed.

Nagero County Commissioner Henry Bangada had earlier stated that tension arose after SSPDF forces from the 6th Infantry Division displaced SPLA-IO forces from their positions, leading to the highway's closure. He explained that the SSPDF informed him about their intention to visit the county, and he welcomed them. The forces stayed in Nagero overnight before heading to Mbo, the border between Western Bahr el-Ghazal and Western Equatoria.

Bangada said he later received complaints that the SSPDF intended to deploy soldiers in areas under SPLA-IO control. "The road leading to Wau is closed, and civilians in my county are sleeping in the bushes," he reported, urging the government to step in.

The Commissioner warned of the potential for conflict, stating that civilians were fleeing the area due to the deployment, which he claimed was done without consultation or official directives. "Tension is high, and civilians cannot move freely on the Wau-Yambio road," he added.

However, SSPDF spokesperson Koang dismissed these claims. He clarified that the incident had been resolved, citing a governorship forum led by the President that addressed issues like dismantling illegal checkpoints. He said SPLA-IO resistance to removing roadblocks in Mbo had been settled.

Koang also questioned the Commissioner’s account, suggesting it was inaccurate and not based on firsthand information from Nagero. "It seems the Commissioner was reporting from Yambio, not the ground," he said. He emphasized that no confrontation had occurred in Kaburi-Mbo and that the misunderstanding had been resolved through established mechanisms.

Source : Radio Tamazuj