Fighting has broken out in Wau town, the capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal state, in the wake of the political crisis over transferral of Wau county headquarters to Baggari payam.
Gunfire began around 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. last night and continued for several hours. It began again at 5:00 this morning and continues until now.
Three people were killed in the street near Freedom Square yesterday evening, a witness said, adding that the security forces prevented bystanders from removing the bodies of the men.
Another eyewitness, the director of an organization, reported seeing six bodies in the roadway this morning, who were shot not far from the Episcopal Church after protesters tried to march to the house of the governor. A third witness, an ambulance driver, put the figure at nine, saying he took them to the hospital.
Photographs taken by a Radio Tamazuj reporter show about 12 wounded youth at New Baggari Clinic, all of whom are young men dressed in plain clothes.
Another four protesters are reported to have been wounded near the Catholic Church, among them one woman. The protesters are reported presently to have entered into the church and military have surrounded them. A church service is ongoing (Sunday morning) but observers expect perhaps more clashes after the prayers end.
The violence comes after youth set up roadblocks mid-week to cut traffic to the city of Wau from all directions including the roads from Baggari, Yambio and Raja.
Protesters oppose the transfer of the county headquarters from Wau to Baggari. Youth were also incensed that two activists were detained by security organs, including their chairman and a committee member.
Photos by Radio Tamazuj: Wounded youth in Wau, South Sudan, 9 December 2012.
Update, Sunday afternoon: Dr. Anwar Zacharia, director of the emergency ward at Wau Teaching Hospital, confirms the number of dead at 6 and the number of wounded at 36. Casualties taken to other medical facilities may not be included in this tally.