SSPDF, SPLM-IO clash persists over illegal checkpoints in WES
Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the national army spokesperson said the clashes resulted in casualties.
By James Chatim
Renewed fighting broke out over the last three days between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Nagero County, Western Equatoria State.
Speaking to The City Review yesterday, the SSPDF Spokesperson reported that forces from SPLA-IO clashed with the army during the removal of illegal checkpoints at Bou Bridge in Nagero County.
Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the national army spokesperson said the clashes resulted in casualties.
“They attacked our position on Kubri Bou consecutively for three days, and we took casualties from the last attack crossing to Western Bahr el Ghazal. We have one casualty of a serviceman while two were wounded,” said Maj Gen Lul.
“Today, they attacked us in coalition with the operation on checkpoint. And along the SPLA-IO has several little checkpoints. So, at the first checkpoint at Kubri Bou, when we tried to dismantle, they fired on our security forces and as a result two members from the security forces were shot and wounded. We returned the fire and they fled. So, we continued with our operation of removal of checkpoints,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Nagero County, Henry Bangada Asaya, on Wednesday called for the immediate withdrawal of the SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces from Boo Bridge in Zomai Payam.
The Commissioner said there have been ongoing military confrontations between the two forces that have sparked mass displacement since January 6 2025.
Bangada described the area as a flashpoint of escalating tension that poses a severe threat to civilians’ safety.
However, he said the presence of military forces at what has been perceived as the SPLA-IO cantonment site has destabilized the region since the formation of the unity government.
According to him, the recent violence in the area was reportedly triggered by the SSPDF operations targeting illegal checkpoints.
“Since the fight started several citizens have been displaced. As I am talking to you, the people of Nagero are living in the bush,” he said.
“The presence of forces in Boo will not bring stability to Nagero. It is exactly a violation of the peace agreement,” Bangada said.
He continued that the confrontations have displaced more than 79,000 people, including previous refugees from Tombura County into the forest.
“Civilians are delivering children in the bush without food, water, or medical supplies. We have received 23,000 displaced persons from Tombura and an additional 11,000 in Namutina Payam. These people are living in desperate conditions,” he said.
Bangada urged the national government to form an investigative committee to visit the conflict zone and oversee the demilitarization of Boo Bridge.
He emphasized that peace cannot be achieved until both SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces are removed from the area.
“They attacked our position on Kubri Bou consecutively for three days, and we took casualties from the last attack crossing to Western Bahr el Ghazal,” said Major General Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF spokesperson.
