Four people dead and over 1,000 others displaced in Yei

At least four people have lost their lives and over one thousand others displaced due to military confrontations between the National Salvation Forces loyal to former South Sudanese  Deputy army chief, General Thomas Cirillo and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces between 17^th March and 3^rd April this year.

Heavy fighting has been reported in Ombaci area, Otogo Payam and Goli, Tore Payam of Yei River County.

Yei River County Commissioner, Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa confirmed that there has been fighting in the outskirts of the town which has led to the displacement of 1,028 civilians in 377 households currently camping at the Church of the Episcopal Diocese.

He says the IDPs have been temporarily offered with food and nonfood items as the government continues to engage with relevant authorities to restore peace in the area.

“Of course government has reacted on self-defense against the movement of the National Salvation Front. Since 17^th of March this year, the NAS has been engaging the SSPDF on attacks including on civilians, ambushes on road and attacks on the SSPDF bases. These kind of attacks are what happened in Ombaci where the SSPDF went to buy food from civilians and surprisingly fell into ambush when returning.” Said Aggrey.

“After the fighting, the NAS went into rampage looting civilians and of course the civilians ran away after the exchange of fire. After three days, the civilians found their lives were under a threat. The NAS threatened the civilians and called them puppets of the SSPDF/government. The reports I got along the border with Congo, One elder plus three others who remained behind were slaughtered. So that’s what made the civilians run away to seek refuge,” he added

Aggrey Cyrus also confirmed to Juba Echo that there were two assaults on SSPDF bases in Goli area, Yei River County, Central Equatoria State on Saturday and that the SSPDF were able to defend themselves. He confirmed that there is rampant movement of the NAS forces in the Yei area without a specific base. He, however says Goli is now safe and that civilians have returned to their homes.

In a press statement issued on 1^st April, NAS Spokesperson, Samuel Suba Manase confirmed that they have been fighting the SSPDF in their defensive positions in Yei area command for the last two weeks. He, however, claimed that they were being attacked by SSPDF.A civil society activist in Yei, Justuson Victor who runs Yamora, a local NNGO calls on the government to improve security and rehabilitate major infrastructure as the country transitions into peace and sustainable development.Yei River is one of Central Equatoria’s six counties. It was the headquarters of the now defunct Yei River State. It has also suffered very devastating effects of the 2016 crisis.