By Alan Clement
One person has been killed, another injured at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp attack, in Mupoi area, Tambura County, Western Equatoria State.
However, Tombura county commissioner, Mathew Mabenge claimed that the Tuesday attack, was carried out by forces under former governor, Alfred Futuyo.
“SPLM-IO forces linked to former Governor, Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, attacked an IDP camp in Mupoi area on Tuesday and exchanged fire with soldiers in a nearby barracks,” Mabenge told No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper on phone.
The victims of this brazen attack included a nurse who unfortunately lost her life and a soldier, injured while attempting to fight off the gunmen.
“During the exchange of gunfire, one nurse was shot dead, while a soldier was shot in the arm and leg but survived,” the commissioner explained.
He added that the soldier is receiving treatment in Tambura Hospital.
According to commissioner, the recent attack has created widespread panic, leading to cancellation of Independence Day celebrations in Tambura. He added that tension also heightened in the county, due to killing of three individuals and injuring of 4 others in separate incidences, last month.
Meanwhile, No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper could not readily verify the allegations levied by Tombura county commissioner against former governor of Western Equatoria state, Alfred Futuyo. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful, as his known telephone contacts since time of office, are currently switched-off.
This latest incident adds to a long-standing pattern of instability in Tambura County. Between June and September, 2021, at least 440 people died and approximately 80,000 others displaced, when violence broke-out in the county.
Investigations by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the UN Human Rights Office detailed grave human rights violations and abuses committed against civilians, during the clashes.
Conflict in Tambura has often been characterized by fighting between various armed elements, including those associated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), as well as affiliated militias.
These groups have been responsible for widespread civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of property.