NYIROL COUNTY – The Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) claimed on Wednesday it seized a strategic army base at Waat town in Nyirol County, Jonglei State, as foreign diplomatic observers raise concern about South Sudan’s unravelling peace deal.
The announcement was made by Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the spokesperson for the SPLA-IO, who confirmed the capture in a brief statement. “The SPLA-IO has fully captured the SSPDF base of Waat,” Col. Gabriel said, adding “details will follow later.”
Details on how the fighting started are still unclear. The fall of Waat marks a critical turn in the ongoing violence between the SPLA-IO and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
The two sides have been engaged in deadly clashes for months, with the conflict intensifying since March, when SPLA-IO and allied White Army militants launched an assault on the Nasir army garrison.
Recent conflicts characterized by mobilizations, clashes and aerial bombardments by SSPDF forces targeting areas in Nyirol and Uror counties have resulted in mounting civilian casualties, attack on humanitarian facilities and surging displacement.
The capture of further complicates efforts to end the violence and resume political dialogue that could salvage the shaky 2018 peace deal.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation or denial of the SPLA-IO’s claim from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF). Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesperson, has yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations.
Meanwhile, the international community – consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway – continues to voice concern over the deteriorating situation in South Sudan.
Known as the Troika, the bloc has expressed deep alarm that more than seven years after the signing of the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the country is once again sliding toward widespread conflict.
The three governments criticized South Sudan’s leadership for failing to uphold the power-sharing principles outlined in the peace agreement, accusing the government of misusing public resources and neglecting to deliver essential services to the country’s citizens.
The statement highlighted that, despite international efforts to foster peace, the country’s leaders have not made significant progress toward achieving stability.