FILE PHOTO: South Sudan People Defence Forces (SSPDF) on on a military - Courtesy

The government of Jonglei State says fighting erupted in Walgak Payam of Akobo County between government and SPLA-IO forces on Sunday morning, but details about the situation on the ground remain unclear.

Walgak is one of the payams of Akobo County and a key administrative centre west of Akobo town.

Jonglei State Minister of Information Nyamar Lony Thichot said the state government had received reports of the fighting but was still gathering information.

“We don’t have any details yet regarding the incident that occurred in Walgak. We learned about it, but we don’t have any details yet. We have just learned that fighting erupted, but that is all we know,” he said.

“We don’t know about the casualties, and we don’t know exactly what happened because these are military activities. I think the person who can give you an update is the SSPDF spokesperson,” she added.

Eye Radio contacted SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang, who declined to comment on the reported fighting, saying the Jonglei State government was better placed to provide information.

The reported clashes come after a brief lull in fighting between government and opposition forces following months of violence in several parts of northern Jonglei State earlier this year.

The violence displaced thousands of civilians, many of whom fled to neighbouring Ethiopia in search of safety.

Last week, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) closed its temporary base in Akobo after nine years. The base was established in 2018 to help protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

According to UNMISS, the withdrawal of troops and assets followed months of efforts to stabilise the security situation and was carried out in line with United Nations procedures.