SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang Addresses Thursday’s Army Clashes at Gen. Akol Koor’s Residence – Credit: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio, November 22, 2024

SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai said security forces have removed all checkpoints at Kubri-Bou area along the border of Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal states, amid recent reports of clashes with SPLA-IO troops that forced hundreds out of their homes.

On January 11, army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai said SPLA-IO troops attacked an SSPDF Infantry brigade tasked to dismantle illegal checkpoints between Western Equatoria and Western Bahr El Gazal states.

Meanwhile, SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel denied his colleague’s narrative, arguing instead that the violence occurred as a result of an attack by the army on their position outside Kubri-Bou.

As a result, about 79,000 people including those who fled the crisis in Tambura County were further displaced to the bushes without basic necessities, according to Nagero commissioner, Henry Bangada.

In an interview with Eye Radio on Monday, General Lul said the security situation in the areas along the border with Western Bahr el Ghazal is normal.

He added that the joint security forces are in preparations to make another round of security patrols to ensure no road blocks are placed along the border area.

“I have just got in touch with the acting assistant Chief of defense force for operation and he told me the general security situation along Kubri Boo Wau road is normal,” he said.

“The joint security forces succeeded in removing illegal road blocks all the way from Kubri Boo up to Wau. The last resistance was made around Kubri Bou and they are in the process of making another round of patrol to make sure no illegal road blacks are erected again.”

The UN Mission in South Sudan expressed concerns over the military confrontation between units of the national army and SPLA-IO in Western Equatoria and called for national government intervention.

Also on January 12, a human rights activist appealed to the Presidency to urgently initiate the unification and deployment of armed forces of the peace parties and ensure strict cantonment to prevent further violence.

Bol Deng Bol, Executive Director of INTREPID South Sudan, said unifying the forces is the only solution to the intermittent violence involving factions of the peace parties across the country.