Sporadic gunfire erupted in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, on Sunday night as a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) voiced its rejection of newly appointed Governor Emmanuel Primo Okello.
The shooting began around 9 p.m. local time and continued intermittently for over an hour.
The unrest followed a public announcement encouraging residents and armed forces to gather for Okello’s reception, exacerbating tensions that have been simmering since President Salva Kiir Mayardit appointed Okello to replace Sarah Cleto.
Brigadier General Gabriel Bol Wek, commander of SPLA-IO’s Brigade 4, stated that his forces would not allow Okello to assume office, citing concerns over leadership representation from the same payam as Cleto.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj this morning, several residents in Wau said that the gunfire was particularly intense in the southern and western parts of Wau.
One witness from Masna Talib, located on the southern bank of the river, described the situation: “The civilians were in a bad situation yesterday night; many fled their homes, with some falling into the river.”
“Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries from the gunfire, though residents, particularly children, have suffered a lot due to the gunfire,” he added.
When contacted by Radio Tamazuj, Major General Majok Tawal-Tawal, an SPLA-IO commander in Jur River County, confirmed the shooting but clarified that it was largely symbolic, with soldiers firing into the air to demonstrate their opposition to Okello’s appointment.
“The gunshots were only to show our rejection of the new governor… we don’t want this person totally,” Tawal-Tawal said.
The SPLA-IO remains divided over Okello’s appointment. While some commanders have publicly supported his reception, others have called for his removal, arguing that leadership should not be concentrated within a single payam.
As preparations for Okello’s arrival in Wau continue, it remains unclear how these rising tensions will be defused.