South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldier in Malakal. |© 2022 Samir Bol/AFP via Getty Images|.
Friday, 25 April 2025
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed deep concerns about the reports of clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in Morobo and Yei counties, Central Equatoria State, which have led to civilian displacement and casualties.
The mission called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and restoration of calm, given already fragile political and security conditions in the country.
UNMISS appealed to all military actors to refrain from conflict, prioritize the protection of civilians, resolve differences through dialogue, and ensure unimpeded access for peacekeepers to reinforce security.
The mission said it has been engaging intensively with the authorities, security actors, faith-based and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, youth, and community members to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
The Commissioner of Morobo County, Data Charles, said the latest clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO displaced more than seven thousand people from their homes.
Most of the internally displaced persons are returnees who have just returned to Morobo County from the refugee camps in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Civilians have been subjected to torture, killing, and mass displacement since the start of the renewed military tensions between the government forces, opposition groups, and allied non-state actors backed by both the SPLA-IO and SSPDF in Nasir, Ulang, Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Western Equatoria, Jonglei, and Central Equatoria states.
