South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has declined to comment on the ongoing ‘strategic bombing raids’ in Fangak and Mayom Counties of Jonglei and Unity States, respectively.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, an airstrike, reportedly carried out by an Antonov aircraft, struck a grazing area near Mayom County in Unity State.
Initial reports indicate no casualties. Mayom County Commissioner, James Liliy Kuol stated that the area was uninhabited.
“There was a bombardment yesterday, on the 6th of May,” James said. “No reports of deaths, since it is an open area. The location is known as Lou, a grazing land between Mayom and Eastern Gogrial; people don’t live there.”
The bombardment follows similar incidents in Fangak County of Jonglei State, over the weekend, where a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) run hospital was hit. At least seven people were reportedly killed and several others injured, including patients and hospital staff.
The latest bombardment has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, the Pan-African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA) and the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA).
In a joint statement, the rights bodies alleged that the air raids were carried out by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) backed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The two organisations are calling for an immediate international investigation into the airstrikes and demanding that the South Sudanese government and its alleged allies be held accountable.
“We urge the Government of South Sudan to immediately cease the bombing of civilians and respect its responsibility to protect,” the joint statement declared. “The government must adhere to humanitarian laws and international human rights standards and recommit to the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).”
PAPA and CPA further asserted that the act potentially constitutes a serious violation of international law.
“This act constitutes a war crime against humanity,” the statement read. “It confirms that the government has declared war on its own citizens, who have not taken up arms against the state. What moral justification exists for killing their own people?”
In response, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has remained tight-lipped.
SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang issued a statement on Wednesday, May 7, stating that the military command would offer ‘no comments’ on what he termed ‘strategic bombing raids.’
“This brief statement serves to inform all media agencies that, as of now, SSPDF command has no comments to make on reported strategic bombing raids in Fangak and Mayom Counties of Jonglei and Unity States, respectively,” Lul stated.
