SPLA-IO internal clashes leave five dead in Unity State

BENTIU — At least five people were killed and several others wounded in violent clashes at the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) Rupkong base in Leer County, Unity State, authorities said.

The fighting erupted on Tuesday and involved SPLA-IO forces from Division 4B and armed youth, highlighting deepening internal divisions within the opposition movement, officials said.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Thursday, Lt. Gen. Peter Ruot Chuol, the SPLA-IO Sector Two commander in Unity State, said the clashes broke out after armed youth attacked SPLA-IO troops stationed at the Rupkong base.

According to Ruot, the violence was triggered by disagreements over leadership changes within Division 4B. He said tensions escalated following the appointment of Gen. Gatok Khor as the new Division 4B commander, replacing Gen. James Gatluak Chuol, who was reportedly unwell at the time the decision was made.

“The fighting erupted between SPLA-IO forces and armed youth who rejected the appointment of the new Division 4B commander,” Ruot said. “Some senior officers within the SPLA-IO, unfortunately, sided with the armed youth and contributed to the unrest.”

Ruot said internal divisions within the movement had significantly worsened the situation, accusing some senior figures of undermining established command structures and fueling instability within the group.

“The current fighting between us and the armed youth was driven by individuals within the SPLA-IO leadership,” he said, naming the military commissioner, James Yoach Bading Yageah, as among those he alleged were involved in the internal disputes affecting the movement.

Ruot confirmed that three SPLA-IO soldiers were killed in the clashes, while three others were wounded. The injured are receiving treatment at Adok Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU), he said.

He added that the situation was later brought under control through administrative measures and peaceful interventions involving local authorities and SPLA-IO leadership.

However, Ruot said he was unable to confirm the number of casualties among the armed youth involved in the fighting.

“I do not have confirmed information on how many people from the armed youth were killed or injured during the fighting,” he said.

Unity State, particularly Leer County, has for years experienced recurrent violence driven by internal power struggles within armed groups and tensions involving community-based armed youth, complicating security efforts in the oil-producing region.