Rising Tensions in Central Equatoria
Residents of Morobo County woke up to gunshots Monday, as forces loyal to Juba and the main opposition exchanged fire near the Ugandan border.
Details of the Morobo Clash
At 8:30 a.m., South Sudan People’s Defense Forces allegedly stormed an SPLA-IO base of Brigade 4, Division 2B.
Opposition spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said his fighters pushed the attackers back, leaving fifteen government troops dead and seizing rifles, PKMs and an RPG.
He added that several wounded soldiers were abandoned as the SSPDF retreated in disarray.
Political Currents around Machar Trial
Gabriel linked the skirmish to what he calls the ‘illegal and politically motivated’ trial of First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar and seven SPLM/A-IO leaders in Juba.
The court is hearing crimes-against-humanity charges, deepening fissures inside the coalition government only months before elections are due.
Recent Flashpoints Deepening Volatility
Just a week earlier, twelve SSPDF soldiers were reportedly killed in Yondu, another flashpoint in Morobo, underscoring the area’s volatility.
History of Conflict since Independence
South Sudan secured independence in 2011 but slid into civil war two years later, a conflict that cost an estimated 400,000 lives and uprooted millions.
The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement calmed front lines, yet isolated clashes like Morobo’s remind citizens that peace remains fragile.
Government Silence and Civilian Fears
By press time, SSPDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang had issued no comment, fueling speculation and anxiety in local villages.
Community leaders urge both sides to respect cease-fire mechanisms overseen by regional monitors to prevent displacement.
Outlook for Fragile Peace
Observers say the path to lasting stability hinges on integrating rival forces, finalizing a new constitution, and ensuring credible polls.
For Morobo’s farmers, the priority is simpler: quiet skies so fields can be planted before the rains.