Heavy fighting has broken out in Nasir town, Upper Nile State, between government forces and local residents, causing the town to be abandoned by its inhabitants.
The clashes began on Friday afternoon and continued into the evening.
Nasir County Commissioner Gatluak Lew Thiep told Radio Tamazuj that he fled the town and reported that the situation remained tense. Local youth reportedly stayed in control, while the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) retreated to their barracks outside the town.
The commissioner accused the SSPDF forces of instigating the violence, claiming they attacked civilians in the market.
“At 2 pm, SSPDF forces attacked civilians in the market, sparking heavy fighting,” he said. “We were holding a meeting with a UNMISS team who visited on Thursday when the fighting erupted, forcing us to cancel the meeting and move to a safer location outside the town.”
Thiep also suggested the attack had been premeditated.
“When UNMISS arrived yesterday, the SSPDF commander instructed me to ask the team to leave, as he didn’t want their presence. I explained that UNMISS had received approval from higher authorities. Shortly after, he called again, saying the team could stay,” he claimed. “I believe the SSPDF had planned this attack and didn’t want any witnesses, like UNMISS, around.”
SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Kong said he was still gathering details on the fighting.
Civil society activist and executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), Ter Manyang Gatwech, condemned the violence.
“We condemn this attack and urge ceasefire monitors to investigate the incident,” he said.
This is not the first time tensions have escalated between the army and local civilians. Clashes between the two sides have occurred periodically.
Last year, Upper Nile State Governor James Odhok Oyai told Radio Tamazuj after a visit to Nasir that he found relations between the military and citizens were at a “deadlock” and called for dialogue to resolve the issue.