More shooting in Yambio Saturday morning

Shooting broke out in Yambio town of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria Saturday morning, two days after clashes between government forces and a local militia left several people dead.

Shooting broke out in Yambio town of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria Saturday morning, two days after clashes between government forces and a local militia left several people dead.

Saturday’s shooting took place around after 8 am around Uze area, a source said. Uze is between the government-controlled Yambio town and Gangura payam which is held by the South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM).

“There was some fierce gunshots this side of road going to Gangura,” the source said.

The source said the market has closed again after the shooting and only organized forces are moving around in town.

More people have fled to the ADRA NGO compound next to the UN base for safety, the source said. “It can be more than 2000 or 3000 people [total],” the source said.

The SSNLM and SPLA signed a preliminary peace deal in November and ceased hostilities until Thursday, when fighting broke out again.

Seven people including a government official were killed on Thursday, according to Governor Patrick Raphael Zamoi. Two SSNLM fighters were killed, while the group’s commander Victor Wanga was wounded, according to a source in the group.

Photo: Displaced people who fled this week’s clashes in Yambio (UNHCR/R.Nuri)

Related:

Commander of Yambio rebel group confirmed wounded in clash (22 Jan.)

Governor: 7 killed in Yambio clashes Thursday (22 Jan.)

Updated: New fighting in Western Equatoria capital Yambio (21 Jan.)