Gen. Nando to be flown to Juba

The Western Equatoria State government has revealed a plan to relocate Gen. James Nando to Juba after he allegedly escaped from Tombura County two weeks ago.

In an interview with The City Review, the state minister of information William Baiki Adriano revealed that Gen. Nando is currently at the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) barracks in Tombura County.

 “Yes Gen. Nando was found behind Azzo hiding after he was attacked two weeks back, he was found by SSPDF soldiers and they brought him in the barracks in Tombura County,” he revealed.

He said the military leadership was planning to relocate him to Juba.

“What I know is that he is there under the SSPDF custody in Tombura, I do not have more details but according to the reports [that] reached me…they are planning to take him to Juba. When [it is happening is] what I do not know,” he said.

Asked whether Gen. Nando had been detained in barracks, the Minister said: “It is what I know little about him, apart from that needs the official communication from the authorities concerned.”

When contacted for more information about Gen. Nando, the SSPDF Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai said he was yet to get any information about Gen. Nando.

“I am not aware, and I have no idea yet. But, if the information is true, I think it is not a problem, Gen. Nando went from here (Juba) to go and mobilise his forces to be taken to the training centre. So if he wants to come back to Juba, he can just come, nothing bad with it,” Maj. Gen. Ruai said.

Two weeks back, Gen. Nando reportedly fled Tombura amidst heavy gunfire and since then he was in hiding.

The attack

According to the report, Gen. Nando secretly left his base for Source–Yubu, a small-town bordering South Sudan and the Central Africa Republic, and unfortunately fell in an ambush where his forces and those of armed youth exchanged heavy gunfire.

But the state government read a lot of foul play saying Gen. Nando’s exit of his base in Tombura is an evasion of the SSPDF deputy division commander’s mission to evacuate him and his forces from Tombura.

According to several sources, Tombura County has become a ghost town due to the on and off clashes between armed youth and forces of Gen. Nando. These conflicts have forced residents to flee for safety to neighbouring towns and villages.

Houses and community livelihoods have been destroyed leaving women, children, and elderly people in a dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Early this month, SPLA-IO forces under the Command of Gen. Tartizio Donato left Tombura to comply with the authority’s directive and they are currently in Rangu awaiting transportation to Maridi training centre.