Sudden gunfire jolts Nagero County
Residents of Nagero County woke to crackling gunfire around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, as armed elements of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition stormed a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces barracks, local officials disclosed to Radio Tamazuj.
Initial reports indicate the attackers retreated after a brief exchange, leaving one government soldier wounded while the army maintained control of the site.
Civilians scatter into surrounding bush
The surprise barrage triggered panic among villagers, many of whom abandoned homes for nearby thickets and riverbanks, fearing a prolonged clash.
County Executive Director Jackson Wani said normalcy is ‘gradually returning’, yet movement remains restricted because families wait for reassurance that fighters have withdrawn.
Local officials call for reinforcement
Another administrator spoke of ‘heavy gunfire echoing across the farms’, adding that most residents are still sheltered in the bush and urging Juba to deploy extra troops to deter repeat incursions.
At the time of writing, spokespeople for the SSPDF and SPLA-IO had not responded to media requests, leaving unanswered questions about casualties on the opposition side or possible motives.
Strategic importance of Western Equatoria
Western Equatoria borders both the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making any flare-up there a regional security concern and a potential disruptor for cross-border trade routes.
Analyst Peter Biar Ajak argues that sporadic low-scale attacks risk undermining the 2018 revitalized peace agreement if local grievances are not swiftly addressed.
Search for calm continues
Community leaders plan dialogue sessions with both military commands to reassure displaced households and reopen schools before the upcoming planting season.
For now, rustling leaves in the bush replace Sunday hymns in Nagero, a stark reminder that peace in South Sudan remains fragile yet achievable.