Airstrikes in Akobo, South Sudan, have ignited fears of renewed civil war amid deepening political tensions. Ugandan troops have been deployed, and accusations against them for supporting local forces intensify concerns. The local commissioner reported the targeting of civilian vehicles, while calls for international intervention and direct talks between South Sudan’s leaders grow louder to establish peace.
Residents of Akobo, a strategic border area in Jonglei State, South Sudan, experienced panic following airstrikes that occurred on the town’s outskirts on Tuesday afternoon. This incident heightens concerns about a potential return to civil conflict, stemming from escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Recently, Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan, with the head of Uganda’s military announcing last week that troops were sent to “secure” Juba, the capital. The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) faces accusations of conducting airstrikes in support of the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF).
The Akobo County Commissioner, Puok Nyang Tutjiek, reported that the strikes targeted two vehicles transporting goods and passengers along a road connecting Walgak to Akobo around 12:45 P.M. on Tuesday. This contradicts reports that suggested the airstrikes aimed to strike a vehicle believed to be carrying the SPLA-IO Spy Chief, General Yiey Dak, who recently fled Juba due to political turmoil.
Commissioner Tutjiek stated that while the vehicles managed to reach safety in town, the individuals inside, including children, scattered into nearby bushes. There were no reported casualties; however, several passengers remain missing. The airstrikes resulted in market closures and prompted residents to seek safety. Tutjiek indicated that local authorities are pursuing clarification from Juba regarding the motives behind the attacks.
Civil society organizations and the international community have expressed concern over the incident and the rise in aerial bombardments in the Upper Nile region. Ter Manyang, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), described the strikes as a “dangerous escalation” and called for immediate international intervention. He urged the African Union and IGAD observers to facilitate dialogue between President Kiir and Dr. Machar to avert further violence.
In response to the ongoing violence, a collective of western embassies in Juba proposed that President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar convene directly to restore peace, offering their assistance for the talks. A statement from these embassies condemned the persistent violence in the Upper Nile region, specifically addressing the aerial bombardments in Nasir County and reports indicating civilian casualties.
The recent airstrikes in Akobo have heightened fears of a returning civil conflict in South Sudan, exacerbated by the tensions between political leaders. International and civil society calls for dialogue and intervention underscore the urgency of the situation. As local authorities seek clarity on the attacks, the role of international mediators remains critical in stabilizing the region and preventing further violence.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
