Tombura County leadership seeks SSPDF intervention

The leadership of Tombura County in Western Equatoria State is seeking assistance from the South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) as Seleka, a rebel group from the Central African Republic makes its way into South Sudan.

Residents reportedly fled their homes and are in fear of imminent Central African Republic’s Seleka rebel intrusion into the area according to the County Executive Director.

This comes more than two weeks after the Uganda People Defense Forces launched an incursion in Pogee Village of Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria in South Sudan.

Natale Dungura, Tombura County Executive Director and Acting Commissioner says Seleka rebel’s aggression, which could result in the invasion of South Sudan was a result of an alleged attack by an unknown armed group on their base in Bambuti, five kilometers away from South Sudan – Central African Republic border.

He said the last week’s attack by an alleged armed group from South Sudan prompted Seleka forces’ aggression on residents, forcing thousands to flee their homes from both countries.

“Our worry is; these people can turn to us here. The community in Source Yubu is now in great fear. They are in doubt that they don’t know what will happen exactly in Source Yubu. People are panicking there and some of them have even arrived in Tombura,” Dungura said.

However, Tuesday last week, Brig. Santo Domic, SSPDF Deputy Spokesperson said they did not receive the information of the attack on Seleka base and their threat to residents in Source Yubu adding there were no SSPDF forces at the border with the Central African Republic.

“We don’t have forces close to the Central African Republic. We have only a few forces in Source Yubu because there is no security threat. So that is news to me,’ Domic said.

A resident of Tombura County told The City Review anonymously that Seleka rebels fighting against President Faustin Archange Touader’s government have been looting, killing, and terrorizing people traveling between the two towns of Source Yubu and Bambuti.

“We have been getting information about Seleka that they are beheading people on the road to the Central African Republic and that they are looting food and properties of people along the border. Some people have run away because all their things have been taken,” the woman said.

Dungura said the refugees and people internally displaced in Tombura were in dire need of humanitarian assistance, calling for urgent support to the affected vulnerable children and women.

“There is total hunger now in Source Yubu. Children under five years old can stay for two to three days without food. So, things are not easy and I have reported this to the UNHCR they went and witnesses,” he said.

Seleka, an alliance of rebel militia groups, subjugated the Central African Republic on 24 March 2013. In September 2013, it was officially dissolved after the election its leader Michel Djotodia as the President of the Central African Republic.

However, some rebel groups under the umbrella of Sekela remained undissolved and the resignation of Michel Djotodia has seemingly reinforced the movement.

The possible borderland intrusion by the Seleka rebels into South Sudan would mean the second in a month after the Uganda People Defense Forces attack the border outpost of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces in late October.