Residents of Wau town yesterday reported relative calm in various residential areas from Sunday evening until Monday evening after violent clashes between the government forces and an armed group in the town over the weekend.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Hassan Ngor, a member of the Wau State Legislative Assembly, said the security situation was relatively calm in the town.

He further said the newly appointed governor Andrea Mayar held a meeting with the state security committee yesterday. The MP pointed out that civilians were killed during fighting but the number of casualties is unclear so far.

A Sudanese trader said six Darfuri traders were killed including Al-Fekki Ishag who was murdered at Hai Kreish. The Darfuri trader identified the victims as Mutasim Abdurrahman, Gasim Ahmed Abdullah, Mohammad Harry, Mohamed Jubara Mursal and another person whose name was not reported.

Meanwhile, Juma Zakaria Deng, Secretary General of the opposition United Democratic Salvation Front party (UDSF) in Wau, said seven bodies including two foreigners were buried inside the church in Wau town.

Forces return to barracks

Multiples sources told Radio Tamazuj that the government used loudspeakers to order its forces deployed in the town during fighting to return back to their barracks. Several eyewitnesses also confirmed redeployment of military police forces to arrest any member of SPLA moving in the town's neighbourhoods.

For his part, Akol Akol Ajieth, Mayor of Wau town, called on citizens to return back to their homes, saying the security situation returned to normal in the town.

"The situation is good in Wau, the security situation has returned to normal, and as a mayor I used loudspeakers so that people can return back home, and the market reopens,” said Akol.

Akol confirmed that several people were killed in crossfire, while others died of hunger. The municipal official said they are yet to announce the death toll.

But an opposition group calling itself "Fertit Lions" urged Wau citizens to remain inside the UN camp to avoid being targeted by the government forces. In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, the group advised the citizens not to return back home.

Tingo Peter, a leading member of the SPLM-IO faction, disputed reports that they attacked the town. He instead accused the government forces and a group of armed herdsmen of targeting civilians within the town.

Tingo further said that SPLM-IO forces are currently stationed outside the town and that they did not carry out any attack. However, the opposition official said they will fight back in case of any attack on their defensive positions.

Bad conditions

Multiple sources also told Radio Tamazuj that tens of thousands of civilians from the southern part of Wau town fled to the bush, while others arrived in Bringi, Ngo Halima, Angonga and other surrounding villages.

A displaced doctor reported that about 15,000 conflict-affected people arrived in Ngo Halima village, while warning against humanitarian disaster due to hunger among children and elderly people in the area.

The doctor further said four women gave birth amid harsh humanitarian conditions when civilians were running away from shooting within the town.