Fresh Displacement in Eastern Equatoria
Heavy exchanges between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and a NAS–SPLA-IO alliance erupted Saturday in Ifwotu payam, southwest of Torit. The crackle of gunfire drove residents into flight, with dozens sheltering overnight at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Torit.
Governor Lobong’s Security Reassurance
Addressing worshippers at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Governor Louis Lobong Lojore pledged protection and urged residents to keep daily routines intact, yet warned against venturing into nearby bushland while operations continue.
He linked the operation to the 18 November raid on Torit that left three soldiers dead, accusing rebels of luring youths with “dangerous propaganda” promising immunity from bullets.
Church Voices Moral Outcry
Vicar General Fr. Peter Ben Louis condemned the violence and invited townspeople to witness mothers and children huddled on church grounds, calling their suffering intolerable.
He lamented the death of Captain Cypriano Oromo and argued that blocked roads caused by insecurity choke trade, urging young people to protect the state’s long-standing reputation for peace.
Opposition Alliance Claims Gains
In a joint communiqué, NAS and SPLA-IO said they repelled a government twin-axis advance, alleging thirty SSPDF fatalities, fifteen injuries, and material losses, while reporting one rebel dead and four wounded.
Government headquarters withheld casualty data; medical staff at Torit State Hospital confirmed treating wounded soldiers but provided no numbers, leaving the battle’s true toll uncertain.
Quest for Stability Ahead
As rival narratives clash, civilians bear the heaviest burden, their livelihoods interrupted and futures clouded. Local leaders’ calls for restraint and dialogue resonate across Eastern Equatoria, where the longing for durable peace remains stronger than the echo of rifles.