There was fright and uneasiness among the inhabitants of the Western Equatoria State capital, Yambio, on Tuesday morning after reports made rounds that fighting had broken out in the Yambio Military Barracks over soldiers’ salaries.
Speaking to the reporters in Yambio, Information Minister Isaac Mursal, said the rumors started circulating when elements of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) who missed out on being paid their salaries became angry. He however clarified that no gunshots were fired and that there was no fighting in the barracks.
According to the minister who advised the public to remain calm and go about their normal business, the issue was resolved after the intervention of the state authorities.
“The salary of the unified forces came and they were being paid today (Tuesday). What happened was that the names of some soldiers did not appear on the payroll and that is why they got annoyed but the government intervened and the case was resolved,” he explained. “You know that when soldiers get angry, it creates panic. However, those who did not get their salaries will be paid later.”
“So, that is what happened this morning and after students heard this, they started to run with this rumor which created more panic in the town,” Minister Mursal added.
A cross-section of Yambio residents who spoke to Radio Tamazuj said the rumors of fighting in the barracks created fear among the public and some traders closed their shops.
A woman who spoke on condition of anonymity said that after she heard the rumors, she closed her shop which led to losses. She cautioned people against relaying unverified reports.
“There was a rumor that came this morning that there was an incident in the army barracks and we got scared as people were running up and down. I had to close my shop for one hour and ran home. When I reached home, I heard that it was just a rumor so I came back and reopened my shop,” she stated. “It affected my business in a way that some customers who had come to my shop left. My advice to the public is that when there is any rumor making rounds, people should first verify it before spreading it because it causes unnecessary panic.”
According to a student from Usumo Primary School in Yambio, they were told to go back home but could not tell the exact reason why. She said that on her way home she heard the rumors of soldiers fighting in the barracks.
“We were at school when our teacher came and told us that the weather was not good and that we should go home. He did not tell us what exactly happened,” she narrated. “On my way, I got information that there is fighting in army barracks so we started running home.”
Meanwhile, Bashir Ramadan, a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) rider in Yambio Town, said that if there is an issue affecting soldiers it should be resolved amicably because people are tired of conflict.
“I work as a bodaboda rider in Gangara Emilia and today I saw disturbances around the airstrip and the main market and people were running up and down. I want to tell our government that soldiers are the citizens of the nation and they should be paid so that they can feed and take their children to school,” he said. “I am also a wounded hero and got injured in 2013 while fighting for this nation yet I am not getting any salary and that is why I joined boda boda work. So, soldiers must be given their rights.”
Efforts to contact the local army commanders in Yambio were futile.