SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...

‎SSPDF Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to Armed Youth Advancing from Pibor Toward Jonglei

 



‎South Sudan army, (SSPDF,) has warned a group of heavily armed youth said to be coming from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) and heading toward Jonglei State to stop their advance or face serious military action.

‎The Army said in a statement that its surveillance planes spotted large movements of armed youth over the past three days. 


Secret intelligence from inside sources also suggested the group might be planning attacks in southern and eastern parts of Jonglei.

‎Speaking in the statement, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang gave the youth only 24 hours to turn back or risk a full military response.

‎“We are protecting the people and their properties,” he said. “If they refuse to go back peacefully, the army will take action to stop them.”

‎Leaders Call for Peace, Not Violence

‎Local peace activists are urging leaders from both Jonglei and GPAA to calm the situation. “We cannot afford another fight,” said Reech Deng, a youth leader from Bor. “We want the government and community elders to talk quickly before things get out of hand.”

‎Many communities in Jonglei and Pibor have suffered from past conflicts involving armed youth, cattle raiding, and revenge attacks. 


Locals are now calling on young people to stay away from violence and let elders lead peace talks.

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