SPLA Division 6 Commander Maj. Gen. Johnson Juma Okot said at least five civilians were killed in Western Equatoria state capital Yambio last weekend in retalitation for earlier shooting deaths of three soldiers.
Okot said the three soldiers were shot by unknown gunmen while riding a boda boda into Yambio town on 27 July. He said two civilians were also killed in the same area earlier that day.
The shooting in Yambio lasted Friday and Saturday and sent thousands of people fleeing from the homes. Three SPLA soldiers were injured in Yambio, he added.
Okot did not say who was responsible for any of the attacks. He said an investigation was underway while noting that arms proliferation is a “known fact” in the area, with SPLA, police, wildlife, and Arrow Boys allowed to carry guns.
At the same press conference, Yambio member of parliament Anthony Lino Makana said the fighting began between civilians and SPLA. He said part of the town was emptied of civilians who ran away.
Civilians at first gathered at the UNMISS base but were not allowed in so some instead found refuge inside humanitarian compounds of ADRA and UNICEF organizations, as well as in a church while UNMISS conducted patrols.
There has been unrest in Western Equatoria linked to the presence of armed SPLA soldiers and cattle herders from Dinka who have clashed with local civilian groups. Before Yambio, clashes occurred in Maridi and Mundri West counties.
Okot said the SPLA “Commando Unit” which has been accused of abusing civilians will not leave the state until order returns.
Okot said the situation is now calm in the town and a committee headed by the deputy governor was sent to investigate. The committee includes represtantives of religious organizations, women’s groups, youth, civil society, and SPLA.
He said the SPLA met with citizens in Anzara because there was fear that after Maridi, Mundri West, and Yambio, the violence would reach that area next.
However, the general downplayed the links between the violence in the three places, saying each incident is “extremely different.”
“The best option is to make sure to bring calm to that state and allow the committee that has been formed to carry out the intensive investigation and bring forward their findings it will contribute to the legal framework of how this conflict can be resolve,” Okot said.
Meanwhile, Western Equatoria Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakasoro called on SPLA soldiers to stop shooting randomly in Yambio.
Addressing a crowd on Monday, Governor Bakasoro also called on local youths not to take up arms again. He advised the two warring sides to return to their normal life.