The forces of Sudan People’s Liberation Army faction led by General Salva Kiir (SPLA-Juba) have taken control of the streets in Wau town, placing restrictions on the movement of police after four or five people were killed in a clash between police and soldiers yesterday after a strike over unpaid salaries.
Member of the state parliament Hassan Ngor said that two government soldiers, two police personnel and one pregnant woman were killed by stray bullets while five others sustained injuries during an exchange of fire between police and members of SPLA’s 5th Division.
Speaking today, the lawmaker, attributed the strike to unpaid salaries for January and February, adding that the clash could have been avoided if authorities had not resorted to calling in the military to contain the strike.
“I believe that the unnecessary and unfortunate loss of lives could have been avoided, if the army was not invited. They have now complicated something which could have been handled without the use of force,” Ngor explained.
He said tanks and other heavy military weapons have deployed around police headquarters and Kenya Commercial Bank and imposed a shoot-to-kill measure for police personnel seen in uniform and carrying firearms in Wau town.
The state Minister of Local Government Angelo Taban also confirmed the death of five people but said the situation was under control with the deployment of the army.
Another official, however, Acting Governor Zacharia Joseph Garang said that the death toll was only four, not five. The discrepancy has not yet been explained.