Picture of Tambura town taken in April 2019. (Photo/Charles Wote/Eye Radio)

The Commissioner of Tambura County in Western Equatoria State said heavily armed men carrying rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and PKM machineguns attacked Tambura market on Tuesday morning.

Mathew Mabenge said the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and other organized forces swiftly repelled the assailants – amid escalating unrest in the area.

In an interview with Eye Radio, Mabenge said the SSPDF deployed a reinforcement of soldiers to Tambura and is currently tracing the attackers.

“This morning, they came and attacked the market using RPG, PKM and so. The soldiers are following them now, I don’t know what is wrong with them exactly you cannot understand,” he said.

“It is just half an hour ago they came with heavy weapons, but there is reinforcement forces came from Maridi yesterday and they are now tracing them.”

The incident follows deepening inter-communal violence characterized by rampant targeted killings.

On Monday, the Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State questioned the neutrality of security forces stationed in Tambura County to mitigate communal violence citing tribal affiliations.

Badagbu Daniel recommended the redeployment of an impartial force that will enforce rule of law without favor.

He had led 30-member peace committee to Tambura where they stayed for one week to probe and quell rising ethnic tension there.

Meanwhile, a County Commissioner called on the people of Tambura to remain calm and vigilant as they working with the concern authorities to deploy more security forces in the area.

Mr. Mabenge added that the deputy governor assured him that elders and intellectuals of both communities who are based in Juba will be in area this week to resolved this issue.

“I’m just advising my people to remain vigilant anyway we are receiving more forces. Maybe right from today and tomorrow, there will be more forces coming to at least rescue this situation.”

“Let my people remain in their places. I think with this reinforcement, peace will prevail in Tambura. The deputy governor briefed me yesterday that he engaging with those of Balanda and Azande communities to come together, at least to sit down and find a amicable solution to resolve this issue.”