Escalating Violence in Nagero: 70,000 Civilians Displaced Amid Intensifying Clashes

A severe humanitarian crisis unfolds in Nagero County as clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO forces have displaced over 70,000 residents. The violence, which erupted in Boo and Zomoi Payam, has sent families—particularly vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly—fleeing into nearby bushlands and neighboring states in desperate search of safety.

The situation has prompted Hon. Henery Bangada Assaya, the Commissioner of Nagero County, to raise alarms over the illegal troop deployments. He specifically accused the SSPDF Division 6 commander of sending forces to Boo, a designated SPLA-IO assembly area, without the sanction of the state government. “I consulted the state government and found they were unaware of this deployment,” Assaya stated. “These forces were initially assigned to Tambura County to address intercommunal violence, and Nagero has historically been a peaceful county where SPLA-IO and SSPDF forces have coexisted without conflict.”

Tragically, the escalation of hostilities has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 civilians in Zomoi Payam. Many locals are now living in a state of perpetual fear driven by the ongoing gunfire. “The people of Nagero are living in constant fear due to the clashes between the two rival forces,” Assaya lamented.

The plight of the displaced worsened further with the arrest of SPLA-IO Colonel Denis Daniel Bazia by the SSPDF, with his current location still unknown. Additionally, two unarmed youth from Nagero, including a clinical officer working at a Primary Health Care Unit, were apprehended in Tombura County, leaving their families in distress over their whereabouts.

Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid have been severely hindered by blocked roads, particularly the crucial route to Wau. Many of the displaced individuals from Zomoi Payam have sought refuge in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, exacerbating an already dire situation.

In response to the escalating violence, Commissioner Assaya has made an urgent appeal to both state and national governments, as well as peace agreement monitoring bodies including CTSAMVM, RJMEC, and the Joint Defense Board (JDB). “I urge all parties to prioritize the peace agreement, withdraw SSPDF forces from Boo, and expedite the second phase of training and unification of national forces,” he asserted.

Recently, following a series of security meetings, the state government reached a resolution calling for a ceasefire and immediate de-escalation of hostilities in Nagero County. Commissioner Assaya emphasized the responsibility of SSPDF and SPLA-IO commanders to uphold these resolutions to restore peace in the region. “I call on the commanders of SSPDF and SPLA-IO to honor the decisions made during the state government’s security meetings and ensure swift implementation of the ceasefire,” he stated.

As the humanitarian crisis grows more urgent, action is critical to safeguard civilians and restore stability in Nagero County. Failure to rectify the situation could have far-reaching ramifications for the broader peace efforts in Western Equatoria State and beyond.