South Sudan’s army said Wednesday it had taken control of the strategic town of Akobo from opposition forces, marking what it described as the loss of the last major stronghold of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in the Lou Nuer areas of Jonglei State.
Akobo, near the Ethiopian border, had remained under the control of the SPLA-IO since civil war erupted in December 2013.
The town became the last major base for the opposition in the Lou Nuer areas after South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) captured positions in Nyirol and Uror counties following fighting that escalated in late December 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, SSPDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said government forces entered Akobo on Tuesday after clashes with SPLA-IO fighters in the nearby areas of Duachan and Doathil.
“On the 10th, our gallant forces recaptured Akobo town without resistance from the rebels,” Koang said.
He said the two areas where the fighting occurred had no civilian population.
“There is no other major border town apart from Akobo in Jonglei left for SPLA-IO. So, we have reduced them and they are on the run,” he said.
Koang said government forces lost 13 soldiers and 20 others were wounded in the clashes.
“We neutralized about 50 fighters from SPLA-IO. We lost around 13 servicemen,” he said.
He said government troops found the town largely deserted after entering it.
According to Koang, the town’s market had been looted and the main hospital ransacked.
The army said it had earlier ordered civilians, United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations to evacuate Akobo on March 6 in preparation for the offensive.
Koang said government forces began advancing toward the town on March 7 and were first ambushed by opposition fighters at Duachan. The troops later clashed again with SPLA-IO forces at Doathil before capturing a rebel base at Wech-Deng Noka on March 8 and continuing their advance toward Akobo.
He said the military leadership had now rescinded the evacuation order and was calling on humanitarian agencies to return and resume operations.
“After the successful recapture of Akobo town, the chief of defense forces requests all U.N. agencies, international and indigenous organizations to resume their normal humanitarian operations at the earliest time possible,” Koang said.
Koang also urged civilians who fled the town during the fighting — including some who crossed the Pibor River into Ethiopia — to return.
“Akobo is safe and the surrounding areas are safe, and therefore they should start returning back to Akobo within the shortest time possible,” he said.
Koang denied allegations that civilians were targeted during the offensive, saying government forces only engaged armed fighters allied with the opposition.
He added that the army would continue pursuing remaining SPLA-IO fighters in other parts of Jonglei State after what he described as the loss of their last major stronghold in the area.
He also confirmed that James Kueth, a former Akobo commissioner who was removed in January, has been reinstated as the county’s commissioner.
Several SPLA-IO officials in Akobo could not immediately be reached for comment on the army’s claim that it had captured the town.
Attempts to reach local sources in Akobo for comment were unsuccessful.