Residents of Akobo, a border area in Jonglei State, South Sudan, have been thrown into panic after airstrikes hit the outskirts of the town on Tuesday afternoon. The incident comes amid escalating fears of a return to civil war, as tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar deepen.
Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan, with its military chief announcing last week that troops were sent to “secure” Juba, the capital of its northern neighbor. The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has faced accusations of conducting airstrikes to support the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF).
Puok Nyang Tutjiek, Akobo County Commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj the attack occurred on a road linking Walgak to Akobo at around 12:45pm on Tuesday. He said the airstrikes in Akobo targeted two vehicles transporting goods and passengers to the town’s headquarters, contradicting claims that the strikes aimed to hit a vehicle allegedly carrying SPLA-IO Spy Chief Gen. Yiey Dak, who fled Juba recently amid political unrest.
“Those in the vehicles, including children, scattered into the bushes, but the vehicles managed to reach town,” Commissioner Tutjiek said. He reported no casualties, though he said many passengers remain missing after fleeing the scene. The strikes prompted market closures and forced residents to seek safety, he added.
Tutjiek noted that that local authorities are seeking clarification from Juba regarding the strikes’ motive.
Today’s incident, along with the expansion of areas targeted by aerial bombardments in the Upper Nile region, has drawn concern from civil society groups and the international community.
Ter Manyang, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), called the strikes a “dangerous escalation” and urged international intervention. “We appeal to AU and IGAD observers to facilitate dialogue between President Kiir and Dr. Machar to prevent further violence,” he said.
Western envoys’ voice
A group of western embassies in Juba this afternoon proposed that President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and other leaders meet directly to restore peace and said they are prepared to facilitate the talks.
A press statement said the embassies condemned the ongoing violence in the Upper Nile region.
“The Embassies of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the Delegation of the European Union deplore the continued violence in Upper Nile State, including aerial bombardment in Nasir County and credible reports of civilian casualties,” the statement reads in part.