At least four government soldiers and a civilian were killed in Barawul Payam of Maridi County in Western Equatoria State on Friday according to the state information minister.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, William Adriano Baiki, the information minister in Western Equatoria State, accused forces loyal to Thomas Cirillo’s National Salvation Front (NAS) of attacking the military barracks in Barawul in Maridi County.
“On 14 May, it happened that the forces loyal to Gen. Thomas Cirillo came and attacked the SSPDF garrison and killed three soldiers from SSPDF, one police officer and one civilian and also escaped with one civilian, but our SSPDF forces were able to repel the attackers from the barracks this (Saturday) morning at 6 am. So, this is what happened in Western Equatoria,” Minister Baiki said.
He condemned the attack and called upon NAS to cease the violence and embrace peace talks. He urged the population to report any suspicious people to the government.
“As we the government of Western Equatoria State, we condemn this in very strong terms and we call on the civilians to report any suspicion in the area so that we can respond to it positively and this is how we can be united as the people of Western Equatoria in a way that we can push out our enemy from the state,” Baiki said.
The NAS spokesperson could not be reached for comment.