31 Jul 2017 | 10:59 PM UTC
South Sudan: Two wounded in fighting in Equatoria on July 30
Fighting between rebel groups on July 30 leaves two wounded in Equatoria; further clashes likely
Event
Fighting between two rebel groups, Riek Machar's South Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the National Salvation Front (NAS), broke out on Sunday, July 30, in Nyori (southern Equatoria region) injuring at least two people.
The fighting is the first confirmed clash involving NAS since the group was formed in February with the stated goal of overthrowing President Salva Kiir. The group has since grown in size, and many SPLA generals have defected, reportedly due to Machar's poor logistical planning and favoritism of ethnic Nuer fighters.
Further clashes between the two rebel groups are likely in the coming weeks.
Context
South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has been plagued by a civil war that started just two years after it gained independence in 2011. A power struggle between President Kiir and then-Vice President Riek Machar escalated into a military conflict in December 2013, leading to tens of thousands of deaths. The conflict has pitted Kiir's Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuers. Other ethnic groups have also created militias that have allied with one side or the other, creating a complex network of opposing groups. The number of South Sudanese citizens displaced by the conflict currently stands at some 4 million.
Advice
Due to this and other security concerns, many Western governments advise against nonessential travel to South Sudan; certain regions should be particularly avoided, including the states of Unity and Upper Nile, the north of Warrap state, parts of Eastern and Central Equatoria states, and areas along the border with the Central African Republic, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. If travel is necessary, ensure that proper security protocols are in place.
