South Sudanese SPLA-Juba forces and associated security services have sought to prevent an exodus of people from Nimule to neighboring Uganda, amid heightened tensions in the area. The town in Eastern Equatoria State is South Sudan’s main crossing for imports including fuel and food from Uganda.
Several sources in Nimule independently confirmed that authorities have sought to prevent members of the native Madi tribe from crossing the border to Uganda as large numbers of residents fled following the spread of rumours and the arrival of fresh troops in the town.
One Nimule area citizen told Radio Tamazuj, “People were just evacuating and going to the side of Uganda. People are going every day. Many.”
Meanwhile, a military source said they have recently moved troops to the area for an operation, which sparked fears from the local population and prompted many to flee to Uganda for safety.
Another government source in Nimule said the forces tried to stop people, especially the local Madis, from crossing into Uganda. He added that the border between the two countries is closed, but another source said it was still open to foreign nationals including Ugandans and Kenyans.
A second local resident, Ebele John Alex, explained that authorities have detained several people and questioned them as to why people are leaving Nimule, but these arrests in turn sparked more fear and displacement.
Ebele, who is chief of Angara Boma located about 1.5 kilometers from Nimule said, “Yesterday they have closed the road. They don’t want any civilians to cross the border.”
But he added that commercial vehicles were still being permitted across and primarily only ethnic Madis were prevented from crossing: “When you are Madi by tribe, with your children, they will not allow you to cross.”
Ebele said also that recent nighttime arrests and intimidation by soldiers have also increased tensions.
He said two people from his village were detained – one of whom was later released. Whilst in detention, they were reportedly asked, “Why are you people running? You people of Madi you are afraid, you are running away,” according to the one released.
The second detainee, Amoko by name, is still being held at the army barracks, according to the chief: “He is detained because here in Nimule people are running. The reason why people are running is not clear. Even the government is investigating why people are running.”
The chief also said that some people have opted not to leave for Uganda but nonetheless have been “sleeping in the bush” out of fear of violence or arrest.
“Now in Angara village right now as I’m speaking people are panicked because their colleague is arrested. People used to sleep now in the bush. Because their colleague was arrested, and doors are being opened at night, then they fear to stay inside.”
Separately, a government source reported that a ‘consultative meeting’ was held in Nimule town on Saturday attended by Madi chiefs, the town clerk, and security officials. The source said that the town clerk summoned the chiefs to explain why youths were disappearing from the city. He described the security officials as being all Dinkas.
A Madi chief, speaking to Radio Tamazuj, denied that youths are being mobilized.
Separately, a truck loaded with fuel caught fire near the Nimule Payam Office on Saturday morning, burning another two vehicles as well. A local source said that the fire was an accident; a police spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, an official of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said he was unaware of the developments in Nimule.
File photo
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