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...
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SSPDF Soldiers Ambushed, Disarmed by Civilians in Tonj East,No Injuries Reported. ‎

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‎In a startling incident on Tuesday, a group of 13 South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers was ambushed by armed civilians near Ngap-Agok in Tonj East County, Warrap State. 

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‎The soldiers, who were traveling in a Land Cruiser, were intercepted but managed to return safely to their barracks reportedly without their weapons.

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‎Warrap State Information Minister James Ayiek Bath confirmed the attack, though he assured the public that no injuries were reported during the encounter. 

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‎The circumstances under which the soldiers lost their weapons remain unclear, but the incident has stirred fresh concerns about lawlessness and the continued proliferation of arms among civilians in the region.

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‎A History of Tension

‎This is not the first time Tonj East has made headlines due to clashes between government forces and armed civilians. The area has long been marked by sporadic outbreaks of violence, often fueled by local grievances, cattle raids, and resistance to disarmament efforts.

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‎In 2020, a government led disarmament campaign turned deadly when local youths resisted SSPDF operations, leading to a series of confrontations that left dozens dead. 

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‎The mistrust between communities and state forces has persisted since then, and the latest ambush may be a reflection of unresolved tensions and a fragile peace.

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‎The Bigger Picture

‎This event underscores the broader challenge South Sudan faces in building trust between security forces and local populations. 

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‎Despite years of efforts to collect illegal arms and restore order in restive regions, armed civilian groups continue to operate with impunity in several parts of the country.

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‎Local leaders and national authorities will need to act swiftly not only to recover the missing weapons but also to engage with communities to address the root causes of such hostility. 

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‎Without meaningful reconciliation and dialogue, Warrap State risks sliding further into instability. 

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

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