South Sudan’s SPLA have declared a state of emergency over insecurity fears in Wau town, according to the state governor, who confirms insecurity in the area but downplays fears of an imminent attack.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Wau State Governor Elias Way said the army raised the state of emergency and that the state government was not consulted on the security alert.
However, the state official confirmed insecurity around Wau town starting from last week until Thursday morning. He pointed out that the insecurity situation started last week when one person was killed and five motorcycles were stolen in the area.
The state official further said two people including a woman were also killed on Saturday evening and that two others were killed on Wednesday evening near the University of Bahr el Ghazal.
Elias reported that a police officer was shot dead during an inspection visit to one of the areas where people were killed. He added that two members of police were also killed along the Wau-Momoi road on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the governor, the death toll in separate incidents in Wau town from last week until Thursday morning reaches at least eight. He noted that the locals confirmed that SPLA forces were involved in the incidents.
The governor urged all security units to remain calm, while calling on Wau citizens not to listen to rumours circulating about an imminent attack on the town.
These developments follow an attack on Raja last week during which the town was temporarily overrun.