By Manas James Okony
Fear engulfed Pochalla town in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) as members of National Security Services (NSS) and police officers fired indiscriminately in the air to protest nonpayment of salary arrears.
The violent demonstration forced thousands of residents to seek refuge in neighboring Ethiopia.
The gunfire began in the early hours of Saturday and continued well into the afternoon.
Otho Okoti, the commissioner of Pochalla South County, told No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper that the chaos erupted when NSS officers broke into their armory, seized weapons, and subjected the town to ten hours of sustained gunfire.
He described a terrifying encounter where the armed officers intimidated him at the premises of Pochalla FM.
“At 1 a.m., some NSS officers broke into their armory, took weapons and ammunition, and started shooting into the air. At 10 a.m., they came for me at Pochalla FM, intimidating me and firing shots between my legs three times. I instructed my guards to remain calm to avoid bloodshed,” he recounted.
Commissioner Okoti condemned the violent protest, noting that the officers claimed they were driven to shoot due to hunger from a lack of salaries.
“These acts of intimidation by security personnel have become commonplace, and we condemn them. The entire Pochalla County is cut off from services, not just the NSS. We call for their relocation to a safer area outside the county,” he urged.
Colonel Amati Ochan, the county police inspector, reported that an uneasy calm was returning to the area but acknowledged that the town remained deserted.
“The shooting involved five NSS members and eight police officers. They confronted us, demanding payment and expressing their anger over the massacre of our people in Sudan. We explained that issues of salary rest with the national government,” he stated.
He added, “fortunately, by noon, the shooting ceased, but the situation remains precarious as the protesting officers are still armed, prompting residents to flee.”
Civil society activist and executive director of INTREPID South Sudan (ISS) called for restraint during this tumultuous time.
“Civil servants and members of organized forces have not been paid for twelve months, and our soldiers have remained loyal. It is their right to protest,” he said. “However, I urge protesting officers to respect civilians and express their grievances in a manner that does not endanger lives or property.”
Expressing sympathy for the disgruntled officers, the activist highlighted their struggles, including a year without food or school fees for their families, calling on the government to address their concerns.