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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15 Killed in SSPDF–SPLA-IO Clash at Government Buffer Zone in Warrap State ‎

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‎Warrap State, South Sudan, 8 October 2025 

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At least 15 people have died and five others wounded in renewed fighting on the border of Athony, a government-designated buffer zone, according to local officials. 

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‎Clash Details & Casualties

‎Twic County Commissioner Mabior Marup confirmed that the confrontation began Monday evening and continued into Tuesday morning. 

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‎Initially, eight soldiers from both sides reportedly lost their lives. 

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‎By the following day, the conflict flared again, resulting in seven additional deaths, bringing the total to 15. 

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‎Among the fatalities: eight SSPDF soldiers, six SPLA-IO fighters, and one civilian caught in crossfire. 

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‎Five SSPDF soldiers were injured and are receiving treatment. 

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‎Trigger & Aftermath

‎Marup attributed the flare-up partly to heightened tensions around the ongoing high-profile trial of suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and eight co-accused.  

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He added that IO-aligned forces, after being driven from their positions, were pushed back, and additional government reinforcements have been deployed to the area.  By Tuesday afternoon, calm had largely returned. 

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‎SPLA-IO spokesperson Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel affirmed that the fighting had erupted between the SPLA-IO contingent of the Unified VIP Protection Force and the SSPDF, though he did not provide further details.  The government, for its part, has not yet released an official statement. 

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‎Athony had been designated a buffer zone under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, intended specifically to prevent clashes by creating separation between opposing forces.  

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This incident marks a serious setback for the already fragile security environment in South Sudan, especially as peace implementation remains stalled and political tensions grow. 

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