The SPLA-IO has announced that its forces under Sector 3 have retaken Akobo County Headquarters following a swift early morning military operation, marking a fresh escalation in fighting in Upper Nile region and raising renewed concerns over civilian safety.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the group said its forces launched the attack at approximately 5:30 AM and gained full control of the county headquarters within about 50 minutes.
The SPLA-IO claimed that government-aligned forces suffered significant losses in both personnel and military equipment during the brief confrontation.
It further stated that several military assets were captured, including pick-up trucks some reportedly mounted with heavy weapons transport vehicles, and assorted small and medium-range arms.
While confirming casualties on its side, the SPLA-IO expressed regret over the loss of life but maintained that the operation was aimed at what it described as “restoring control and stability” in the area and supporting displaced civilians.
The latest development underscores the fragile security situation in Akobo County, which has experienced repeated shifts in control between rival forces in recent months amid ongoing tensions between the SPLA-IO and the SSPDF.
Meanwhile, civil society actors have raised alarm over the renewed fighting, warning that continued military confrontations are putting civilians at increasing risk.
Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), described the situation as “deeply disturbing,” saying the repeated exchange of control over Akobo reflects a dangerous cycle of violence that continues to undermine peace efforts.
He urged political and military leaders to abandon armed confrontation and instead prioritize dialogue as the only viable path toward sustainable peace.
“This trend is unacceptable and must stop immediately,” Yakani said, warning that civilians are bearing the brunt of ongoing clashes through loss of life, displacement, and destruction of property.
He further called on all parties to respect ceasefire commitments under the African Union C-5 framework and the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), stressing that both the SSPDF and SPLA-IO share equal responsibility for compliance.
Yakani also appealed to AU C-5 member states to urgently ensure the implementation of already endorsed peace resolutions, cautioning that violations of the ceasefire agreement are increasingly being observed on the ground.
As tensions remain high in Akobo, fears persist that continued military engagements could further destabilize surrounding communities and derail ongoing peace efforts aimed at restoring stability in the region.
