The acting commissioner of Pochalla County in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), has reported that 10 local youths were killed following clashes with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Monday (yesterday).
Mr Owety Olung, added that another five youths were injured.
The clashes, which started early in the morning continuing until evening, came barely a day after the former SSPDF commander in Pochalla, Col. Okony Okwom Othow, was gunned down at his residence by his colleagues SSPDF soldiers. A widow to King Odiel Gora was also shot and injured in the incident.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Pochalla town, the Acting Commissioner Owety said Monday’s clashes were triggered by elements of SSPDF shooting in the air.
“After the killing of Col. Okony and shooting of a woman, our youth were angered but I convinced them to remain calm and that government will handle the issue,” he explained. “However, on Monday at 5 a.m., SSPDF soldiers started randomly shooting, forcing women and children to flee and compelling the angry youth to return fire. On the side of youth, I received a report of 10 dead and 5 injured. For the SSPDF, we do not know yet.”
The acting commissioner said the tensions remain high and the town has been completely emptied, with the army carrying out airstrikes. He appealed to the national government to de-escalate tensions and carry out an investigation to find the truth about the incident.
“The problem in Pochallla started after the community demanded exit from GPAA, resulting in our civil servants not receiving salaries and intermittent insecurity,” he said. “However, we are shocked that the army is involved in the local politics of Greater Pibor. Their commander started the fighting and even they used gunships to carry out airstrikes on our people at 4 p.m.”
Lt. Col. Amati Ochan, the county police inspector, has said residents have fled to the bush and surrounding villages.
Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin, the spokesperson for the National Police, confirmed the clashes between the army and civilians but said they are yet to get finer details.
Repeated calls to SSPDF Spokesperson Gen. Lul Ruai Koang went unanswered.
Pochalla has been a scene of unrest since 2021, with a series of incidents, including an attack on the Anyuak king’s palace and the killing of a county commissioner alongside his bodyguards, following a demand by the Pochalla’s Anyuak to exit the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
GPAA was created in 2014. It comprises of Pochalla and Pibor counties, formerly part of Jonglei state. The inhabitants of the restive area include the Murle, Anyuak, Jie, and the Suri/Kachipo communities.
