By William Madouk
A photo showing a village in Abiemnhom engulfed in fire following an attack in the early hours of Sunday ( Courtesy)
At least 169 people have been killed following a deadly attack in Abiemnhom County early Sunday morning, March 1, 2026.
Stafano Wieu, Chief Administrator of the Ruweng Administrative Area, said: “Today, Sunday, at around 4:29 a.m., a group of white-armed militia from Mayom County, with the element of SPLM-IO, launched a heavy attack on Abiemnohm County.
“This is a sustained battle of about three to four hours, where we are getting reports that houses have been burned, civilians have been killed.” He added
He confirmed the deaths of key officials, stating: “It is with a heavy heart that the Government of Ruweng Administrative Area and its people announce that in this battle… we have lost our County Commissioner for Awarping, Paulino Wal, plus the Executive Director of Abiemnohm County, who courageously also tried to defend themselves in their places, but in advance, they were targeted and eliminated indiscriminately.”
The Government of Ruweng Administrative Area condemned the barbaric act and we declare this as a rebellion. “we call for accountability on the Commissioner of Mayom.”
Authorities say survivors were buried in a mass grave due to the high number of casualties and ongoing insecurity. Wieu also appealed to humanitarian partners:
“We call on our humanitarian partners, given the dire situation on the ground, to convene and coordinate a kind of coordinated humanitarian response in terms of provision of assistance, in terms of provision of food, given that all the markets have been burned.”
He added that security forces have repelled the attackers but remain vigilant.
“Our forces are on the ground, and they are now putting measures in place to ensure that further attacks are counteracted, and also maybe the few civilians are protected in this matter.”
In response, SPLM/A-IO, through Acting Press Secretary Puok Both Baluang, denied involvement: “The leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition (SPLM/A‑IO) unequivocally rejects and condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the unfounded allegations…”
“We categorically deny any participation in or responsibility for the incident and emphasize that SPLM/A‑IO has no military presence in the area concerned.”
The situation in Abiemnhom remains tense, with calls for accountability, urgent humanitarian assistance, and the implementation of a state of emergency in Mayom.