The blame game between the government and the main opposition group, SPLA-IO, following a deadly ambush along the Morobo–Kaya and Juba–Mundri–Maridi roads between July 30 and 31, which claimed several lives, including that of a Kenyan national.
In a statement issued by SPLA-IO spokesperson Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the group dismissed accusations made by Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data Bullen, who had earlier linked SPLA-IO forces to the incident.
“The SPLA-IO read with dismay the accusations made by Morobo County commissioner Charles Data Bullen, against its forces around Morobo with regards to the ambush that killed a Kenyan citizen on 31/07/2025 along Morobo -Kaya Road. This is accusation is completely baseless and false,” Col. Lam stated.
He accused the commissioner of political hypocrisy and attempting to deflect blame in order to maintain favor with authorities in Juba.
According to Lam, SPLA-IO forces have no strategic interest in the Morobo–Kaya Road and are not “tactically immature” to launch attacks on routes with little relevance to their cause.
He emphasized that the SPLA-IO respects and protects civilian lives and property, regardless of nationality or location.
The SPLA-IO instead pointed fingers at government forces, the SSPDF, suggesting their suspiciously quick arrival at the ambush site raises serious questions.
“The Commissioner should investigate the hunger-stricken SSPDF he claims arrived within minutes, instead of lying to keep his position,” Lam said.
The exchange marks yet another round of blame games between South Sudan’s rival factions, with civilians and foreign nationals once again caught in the middle of a fragile peace landscape.
