Areal view of Torit town, Eastern Equatoria State. | Photo: Courtesy.

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, has condemned a series of coordinated armed attacks on the early morning of Tuesday allegedly by SPLM-IO forces,  describing the assaults as “a declaration of war against the Government and the peace-loving people of Eastern Equatoria State.”

According to an official statement issued by the Governor, the first attack occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m., when SPLM-IO fighters launched an armed raid on Torit Town where they targeted the Torit Military Hospital.

At the same time, he said another group of SPLM-IO fighters advanced from Enyif and opened fire on the official vehicle of the Torit County Commissioner, resulting in the killing of a Police Captain, who was serving as the Deputy Inspector of Police for Torit County.

“These latest assaults amount to a declaration of war against the Government and the peace-loving people of Eastern Equatoria State,” Governor Lobong stated.

The Governor said the assault came just days after a November 17, 2025 ambush on a passenger vehicle traveling from Kapoeta Town to Napotpot, in which one civilian was killed.

He noted that the attacks were part of a wider pattern of continued hostile activities attributed to SPLM-IO elements.

He said the group has carried out multiple road ambushes along the Kapoeta–Torit, Torit–Magwi, and Torit–Juba roads, during which citizens have lost both lives and property and in some cases children have been abducted.

He added that SPLM-IO fighters had also conducted a deadly raid on an SSPDF military outpost in Enyif in May 2025, resulting in the death of an SSPDF soldier, and that on September 25, 2025, they raided the Kapoeta National Security Office, further heightening insecurity in the state.

Despite this string of provocations, the Governor emphasized that his administration has continued to advocate for peace and cooperation under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

“The Government of Eastern Equatoria State has consistently advocated for peaceful coexistence and cooperation between the government forces and SPLM-IO forces,” he said, adding that these efforts were made “in the interest of the civil population.”

Governor Lobong condemned Tuesday’s coordinated raids “in the strongest terms,” urging citizens to remain vigilant as the government responds to the security situation.

He said the state government is committed to protecting the citizens and will continue to dialogue with what he terms as peace loving armed groups to restore stability in the entire state.

The SPLM/A-IO has yet to comment.