Airstrikes in Akobo Signal Rising Tensions in South Sudan
Airstrikes struck Akobo, South Sudan, raising fears of impending civil war amid deepening tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. Uganda’s military support for South Sudan amid allegations of airstrikes complicates the situation. Local authorities sought clarification while civil society urged international dialogue to prevent further violence.
Residents of Akobo in Jonglei State, South Sudan, are engulfed in panic following airstrikes on the town’s outskirts on Tuesday. This alarming incident coincides with escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, raising fears of a potential return to civil war.
In response to the unrest, Uganda has dispatched special forces to South Sudan to purportedly secure Juba, its northern neighbor’s capital. Reports indicate that the Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has been accused of conducting airstrikes in support of the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF).
Akobo County Commissioner Puok Nyang Tutjiek reported that the airstrikes targeted two vehicles delivering goods and passengers to the town’s headquarters. This directly contradicts claims that the strikes were aimed at a vehicle allegedly carrying SPLA-IO Spy Chief Gen. Yiey Dak, who has recently fled Juba amid ongoing political turmoil. Tutjiek noted that though the passengers were forced to flee into the nearby bushes, the vehicles successfully continued to the town, resulting in no reported casualties but leaving many passengers missing.
The strikes prompted market closures and caused widespread panic among the residents, compelling them to seek shelter. Commissioner Tutjiek indicated that local authorities are actively seeking further clarification from Juba regarding the reasons behind the airstrikes.
This incident, along with the expansion of 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, described the airstrikes as a “dangerous escalation” and called for international intervention, urging the African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to mediate dialogue between President Kiir and Dr. Machar to avert further violence.
In a united statement, a coalition of western embassies in Juba has urged direct talks among South Sudan’s leaders, expressing a willingness to assist in facilitating these discussions. The embassies condemned the ongoing violence in the Upper Nile region, highlighting their concerns about aerial bombardments and reports of civilian casualties. The statement was endorsed by several nations, including Canada, Germany, and the United States, alongside the Delegation of the European Union.
The recent airstrikes in Akobo have heightened fears of renewed civil conflict in South Sudan, with serious implications for local residents and the broader stability of the region. The involvement of Ugandan forces and calls for international intervention underscore the urgent need for dialogue between key leaders to restore peace. The global community’s condemnation of violence and commitment to facilitating talks may pave the way for mitigated tensions.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
