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Wau: News Agencies
On Sunday night, a section of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) expressed its disapproval of recently appointed Governor Emmanuel in Oppositionunknown, causing sporadic gunshots in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
At approximately 9 p.m. local time, the shooting started, and it went on intermittently for more than an hour.
Since Okello was nominated to succeed Sarah Cleto by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, tensions have been building, and the violence came after a public notice inviting locals and the military to attend Okello’s reception.
Concerned about leadership representation from the same payam, Brigadier General Gabriel Bol Wek, commander of SPLA-IO’s Brigade 4, said his forces would not permit Okello to take office.
Wau claimed that the western and southern regions of Wau saw the most intensive gunfire.
The scene was described by one witness from Masna Talib, which is on the river’s southern bank: “Last night, the civilians were in a bad situation; many fled their homes, with some falling into the river.”
He continued, “Residents, especially children, have suffered a lot due to the gunfire, but fortunately there have been no reports of injuries from the gunfire.”
The shooting was confirmed by Major General Majok Tawal-Tawal, an SPLA-IO commander in Jur River County, when Radio Tamazuj reached him. However, he clarified that the shooting was primarily symbolic, with soldiers firing into the air to express their opposition to Okello’s tenure.
“The shootings were merely intended to demonstrate our disapproval of the new governor. Tawal-Tawal stated, “We don’t want this person completely.”
The selection of Okello continues to divide the SPLA-IO. With the argument that leadership shouldn’t be centralized in one payam, some commanders have publicly backed his reception, while others have demanded his dismissal.
How these escalating tensions will be managed is yet unknown as Okello’s presence in Wau is being planned.
