The UN mission in South Sudan is engaged in talks with the SPLA to move its soldiers currently occupying schools and other social facilities in the former Unity state, an official has said. Continue reading “SPLA asked to stop occupying schools in Unity”
Tag: SPLA
Calm returns to Yambio after 24hrs of sporadic shooting
Calm has return to Yambio town in Western Equatoria state after a night and day of gunfire.
The random shooting which begun on Tuesday night continued till Wednesday evening before it could subside.
Civilians and the state authorities believe the sporadic shooting was as a result of clashes between the army and the Arrow boys-allied to the SPLM-in Opposition.
But the SPLA spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer told Eye Radio that the shooting was caused by unruly drunk armed men.
By Tuesday morning, the streets of the town were empty as people remain indoors for safety.
More than 1,000 people also sought refuge at a compound of a humanitarian organization, ADRA -most of them women and children.
This morning, several callers from Yambio told Eye Radio’s Dawn show that the shooting stopped last evening.
One caller said he was speaking from the main market in Yambio –which still remained close.
Random shooting in Yambio interrupts PLE exams as SPLA spokesman blames unruly gunmen
Random shooting in Yambio town has interrupted Primary Leaving Certificate examinations that were to end this morning.
Activities in the town have been halted.
Early this morning, Western Equatoria state Minister of Information, Daniel Ezbon, told Eye Radio from his hideout that suspected arrow boys –allied to the SPLA-in Opposition clashed with the army.
Mr. Ezbon said people have remained indoors since 8pm last night. The shooting continued till morning.
By noon, our reporter in Yambio town, Paul Night, said the shooting was still being heard in some residential areas of the town.
“As we are speaking to you, there are still gunshots going on in the area of Mafiya and Kangemiya,” He said.
“Most places are closed and you cannot see people moving around the town, even the primary eight pupils who are supposed to finish their exams today they couldn’t sit.”
The army spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer after seeking more clarification from Yambio, confirmed the incident.
He however said the random shooting was being caused by unruly armed men.
“There is no fighting in Yambio. There have been people shooting randomly in Yambio and these should be drunk and criminals that are trying to provoke the situation,” Col. Aguer said.
Additional Information by: Magdoline Joseph, Paul Knight
Sporadic shooting erupts in Yambio town
Sporadic shooting between the army and suspected armed youth has been reported in Yambio town in Western Equatoria state. Continue reading “Sporadic shooting erupts in Yambio town”
SPLA Commando unit signs peace with Wonduruba community
The SPLA and civilians in Wonduruba have agreed to resolve their differences and cease any form of hostilities in the area.
Fighting between the army and armed civilians forced more than 11,000 people to flee the area to Lainya and Bereka in the past few months.
Some civilians accused army soldiers of the looting, a claim the military has denied.
Last week, the Commando unit of the SPLA deployed in Wonduruba signed a peace agreement with leaders of the community.
The Bishop of Wonduruba Diocese of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and a member of the community, Matthew Taban, said the two sides “stroke about 15 resolutions” to forgive each other.
“The community of Wonduruba and the SPLA unit will strive to live in harmony by respecting each other with their different responsibilities,” Bishop Taban said.
A fact-finding team that was set up in September this year to investigate the cause of the fighting found that SPLA soldiers terrorized the civilians in Wonduruba through killings, burning houses and looting properties.
This forced civilians to abandon the area.
However, since the signing of the deal, civilians have begun to return to Wonduruba.
The Acting Payam Director for Wonduruba Payam, Lujang Thomas told Eye Radio that the relationship between the army and the residents has improved.
“I can confirm, yes, that we are implementing our peace. It was not like before when we were not going to Wonduruba. I think people are going safely, and when they meet with soldiers, they greet and they stay as normal as before,” said Mr. Lujang.
A separate unit of the SPLA in Yambio, Western Equatoria state also last month signed an agreement to cease hostilities with the Arrow boys.
