Renewed fighting in Yei puts fragile peace deal in the balance
Civil society members have warned that the renewed violence highlights the deep mistrust that continues to affect the peace deal, raising fears that the country’s already fragile political transition could unravel
By Emmanuel Mandella
South Sudan’s fragile peace process suffered a major setback on Saturday as heavy fighting erupted in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State, with government troops (SSPDF) and opposition forces (SPLA-IO) trading blame over deadly clashes that left civilians caught in the middle.
According to the commissioner of Yei River County, the areas of Lasu, Libogo came under attack from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) on Saturday morning.
However, local authorities did not provide more details about the attack
While opposition forces claimed they had overrun government outposts, killing 12 soldiers and seizing heavy weapons, local authorities dismissed the assertions as “rebel’s propaganda,” insisting the assault was repelled after two hours of fighting.
The renewed violence highlights the deep mistrust that continues to plague the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), raising fears that the country’s already fragile political transition could unravel.
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), issued an urgent appeal to commanders on both sides, warning that the attacks undermine not only the ceasefire but the entire framework of the peace agreement.
“As I speak now, Yei River County is witnessing active confrontation between SSPDF and SPLA-IO alongside NAS,” Yakani said.
“This demonstrates clearly the deficit in trust and confidence that undermines the security arrangements of the peace deal. Our appeal to field commanders is simple: protect civilians. Never use them as weapons of war. Your grievances cannot justify atrocities against the people you claim to serve.”
Yakani emphasized that civil society, as signatories to the peace accord, stand firm in calling for inclusive political dialogue to rescue the transition.
In a press release, SPLA-IO spokesperson Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel described the operation as a “successful offensive,” claiming opposition forces captured two military bases and seized a cache of weapons, including a Land Cruiser-mounted with a 14.5mm gun, a 120mm mortar, and a 12.7mm machine gun. He admitted five opposition fighters were killed.
But Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme rejected those claims, stating that.
“This was nothing more than a hit-and-run attack,” Taban told reporters.
“They attempted to storm our positions at dawn, but our forces repelled them. By 10:00 a.m., the area was calm. Their so-called ‘victory’ is purely for media consumption. I am on the ground here, and they are not.”
However, the media could not verify the report independently.
The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) also condemned the violence, urging parties to uphold the 2017 ceasefire agreement.
“In civilized societies, there is no military solution to political disagreements,” said CPA Executive Director Ter Manyang Gatwech.
“If South Sudan descends again into full-scale war, the leadership will be held accountable before history and humanity.”
He warned that such clashes risk reigniting widespread conflict, derailing reconciliation, and eroding fragile trust among citizens.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which mediated the peace deal, has repeatedly warned that delays in security arrangements pose a major threat to stability. In its most recent communiqué, IGAD urged South Sudan’s leaders to “demonstrate political will by accelerating the unification of forces and ensuring local commanders comply with the permanent ceasefire.”
The African Union (AU) echoed this concern, with its Peace and Security Council warning that any violation of the peace deal “jeopardizes not only South Sudan’s transition but also regional stability.”
The AU has called for stronger accountability mechanisms, stressing that “impunity for ceasefire violations cannot be tolerated.”
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has linked its continued financial support for South Sudan’s transition to tangible progress on the peace deal.
In a statement earlier this month, the EU delegation in Juba emphasized that “funding for governance and humanitarian programs must be accompanied by firm commitments to peace and security implementation.”
For communities in Yei, the violence brings back painful memories of past conflicts when civilians bore the brunt of atrocities, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
“Every time fighting breaks out, we are the ones who suffer,” said a resident who fled Lasu during the morning gunfire. “We don’t care about who claims victory. What we want is peace.”
The clashes in Yei serve as a grim reminder that South Sudan’s transition remains precarious. With elections on the horizon and key provisions of the peace deal still unimplemented, analysts warn that renewed conflict could plunge the nation back into chaos.
“The message is clear: the window for peace is closing,” Yakani concluded.
“If field commanders and political leaders fail to act responsibly, the promise of the peace agreement will die on the battlefield. South Sudan’s future depends on urgent, inclusive dialogue not more bloodshed.”
