By Baraka John
The Network for Civil Society Organizations (NeCOs) in Western Equatoria State has strongly condemned the resurgence of violence in Tombura County, describing the clashes as both a humanitarian catastrophe and a national security threat.
In a press release issued on Friday, NeCOs expressed alarm at the fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO), which erupted on Thursday. The group noted that civilians, especially women and children, are once again facing displacement, loss of life, and widespread suffering.
NeCOs also raised concerns about reports that a UNMISS patrol team in the area had been forcibly disarmed under suspicious circumstances.
“Such an incident undermines the mission’s mandate to protect civilians and erodes public trust in national and international institutions. We call on the authorities and UNMISS leadership to investigate the matter and provide full transparency,” the statement read.
The civil society coalition urged the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to prioritize the crisis in Tombura and called on national Members of Parliament from the county to unite in pushing for peace and security for their constituents.
“We expect lawmakers to raise a motion in parliament that directly addresses the Tombura crisis and to propose concrete solutions that prioritize the safety of citizens,” the statement emphasized.
NeCOs further appealed to the newly appointed governor and deputy governor of Western Equatoria State to deploy sufficient security and logistical support to contain the violence, stressing that their immediate presence on the ground is critical.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) confirmed that its peacekeepers were ambushed by an armed group between Tombura and Mapuse. The attackers seized a small cache of weapons and ammunition, though all peacekeepers returned safely to base. UNMISS condemned the assault, warning that attacks on peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law.
NeCOs reiterated its position that dialogue, not military confrontation is the only path to lasting peace in Tombura.
Tensions in the county remain high. On Thursday, residents staged a protest outside the UNMISS compound, accusing the mission of supplying arms to rebel groups an allegation UNMISS firmly denied. Demonstrators displayed handwritten placards demanding that the mission leave Tombura within 72 hours.