By Matik Kueth
The spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has declined to comment on the recent clashes in Akobo, pointing to the uncertain and rapidly changing security situation in the area.
In a statement, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the army would not issue an official position at this time as assessments continue on the ground.
“Due to the fluidity of the security situation in Akobo and surrounding areas, the Office of SSPDF Spokesperson, as of now, wouldn’t release a press statement on yesterday’s military engagements,” the statement read.
The lack of immediate clarification leaves questions about the scale and impact of the fighting, as tensions remain high in Akobo and nearby areas.
Reports from multiple media outlets earlier this morning indicated that heavy clashes erupted in parts of Akobo County, with exchanges of gunfire allegedly involving SSPDF forces and armed groups.
Some accounts suggested civilian displacement and rising fear among residents, although the exact number of casualties and extent of the damage remain unclear.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) stated that it defeated SPDF forces during the clashes and has since taken control of Akobo town.
The party’s spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, noted that their fighters gained ground after government troops pulled back, adding that military equipment was also captured in the process.
However, the SPLA-IO statement did not provide any confirmed casualty figures from the fighting, leaving the human toll of the confrontation unclear.
The contrasting accounts from the two sides underscore the lack of clarity over what exactly transpired, with no independent verification yet of casualties or the extent of destruction.
Akobo, a key town in Jonglei State, has increasingly become a hotspot of tension, with control reportedly shifting between the rival forces in recent months amid rising instability in the area.