Thousands of civilians flee as government forces unleash new attacks in Western Equatoria State

Residents of Western Equatoria State fleeing...… Photo: AP

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) announced that through and of South Sudanese civilians from Western Equatoria State have fled their homes after numerous armed clashes between government troops and anti-government forces.

The UNHCR says at least 23,000 people have fled their homes and that 8,000 people left for the neighboring countries.

On the 3^rd of January, South Sudan’s government soldiers attacked rebel outpost in Western Equatoria State, claiming that a rebel group led by Former Western Equatoria State’s information minister, Charles Barnaba Kisanga threatens its military positions in and around Yambio of Western Equatoria State.

Juba says Kisanga is the leader of rebel South Sudan People’s Patriotic Front (SSPPF/Arrow Boys) and accuses him of masterminding attacks on government’s locations.

This week, at a convention of the SPLM-IG, South Sudanese president Salva kiir lashed out at people he believes are rebel elements who operate in the Greater Equatoria region. Kiir surprised the audience by calling out Kisanga’s name and declared him as a Former information minister in Western Equatoria State and self-declared leader of the SSPPF/Arrow Boys.

The South Sudan People’s Patriotic Front/Arrow Boys sources told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) on Saturday that government troops have step-up military assaults against their forces in Western Equatoria State.

On Thursday, South Sudan’s warring factions reached power-sharing deal aims to put an end to the ongoing civil war.