Airstrikes near Akobo, South Sudan, have caused panic amid fears of civil war as tensions rise between President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. Ugandan forces are reportedly involved, with local leaders seeking clarifications from Juba. The situation has prompted calls for international intervention and dialogue from Western embassies.
Residents of Akobo, a border area in Jonglei State, South Sudan, experienced panic after airstrikes struck the outskirts of the town on Tuesday afternoon. This incident heightens fears of a potential civil war, exacerbated by escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
The situation is further complicated by Uganda’s deployment of special forces to South Sudan, aimed at securing Juba, the capital. The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has faced allegations of conducting airstrikes in support of the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF).
According to Puok Nyang Tutjiek, Akobo County Commissioner, the airstrikes targeted two vehicles transporting goods and passengers along a road linking Walgak to Akobo. He contradicted claims that the strikes targeted a vehicle carrying SPLA-IO Spy Chief Gen. Yiey Dak, who recently fled Juba amid political unrest.
Commissioner Tutjiek reported that individuals in the vehicles, including children, scattered into the bushes but managed to reach town. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, although many passengers remain unaccounted for after fleeing the strikes, which caused market closures as residents sought safety.
Local authorities are currently seeking an explanation from Juba regarding the motives behind the airstrikes. The increase in targeted aerial bombardments in the Upper Nile region has raised alarms among civil society organizations and the international community.
Ter Manyang, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), termed the airstrikes a “dangerous escalation” and called for international intervention. He urged the African Union and IGAD to facilitate dialogue between President Kiir and Dr. Machar to avert further violence.
In response, a coalition of western embassies in Juba has encouraged a direct meeting between President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to restore peace. The embassies condemned the ongoing violence and expressed readiness to facilitate the necessary discussions.
The embassies of Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside the Delegation of the European Union, have condemned the continuing violence in Upper Nile State, highlighted by aerial bombardments in Nasir County and credible reports of civilian casualties.
The recent airstrikes in Akobo have exacerbated tensions in South Sudan, revealing the fragile state of security and governance. With international calls for dialogue among leaders, the situation presents an urgent need for intervention to prevent further conflict. The continued violence has drawn concern from various global entities, underscoring the necessity for effective diplomatic efforts.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
