South Sudan: Deadly militant clashes leaves three dead in Central Equatoria state April 26

Event

Deadly militant clashes erupted in Central Equatoria state on Sunday, April 26, leaving at least three people dead and six others wounded. The fighting occurred between militants from the National Salvation Front (NAS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), and took place in the Senema, Ombaci, Mediba, Morobo, and Kajo-Keji areas of the state.

Further clashes are possible in the area over the near term.

Context

South Sudan has been wracked by years of political, interethnic, and intercommunal violence - exacerbated by border and oil revenue disputes with Sudan. Following the 2011 signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that gave the country its independence from Sudan, the predominantly north-south conflict has given way to a pattern of internal violence. Since December 2013, the country has experienced an intermittent civil war waged between President Salva Kiir's government and the SPLA on one side, and the rebel forces of the SPLM-IO, led by former Vice President Riek Machar, on the other. A 2015 peace agreement has failed to prevent outbreaks of ethnic and political violence and the conflict has continued despite international support for state-building and peacekeeping - including the 12,000-strong UNMISS force, deployed since 2011. Various factions had signed what was supposed to be a permanent ceasefire on Dec 21, 2017, in an effort to revive the 2015 peace agreement; however, the ceasefire was violated three days later.

Advice

Due to the high threat of intercommunal conflict and violent crime, all travel to South Sudan should be subject to a thorough localized threat assessment and undertaken in coordination with a trusted security provider. Members are advised to subject all travel, particularly to remote and rural areas, to strict journey management protocols. Avoid travel at night, vary routines and maintain a heightened sense of situational awareness. Monitor local media sources to remain apprised of security-related developments and adhere to any directives issued by local authorities.