JUBA—Prominent South Sudanese civil society activist Edmund Yakani has warned that fighting between rival factions of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) threatens civilian safety in several parts of the country, including Unity State.
Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said clashes had been reported in Panyume and parts of Unity State, while his organisation’s early warning system indicated the risk of further violence in southern Unity, Panyume and Leer.
In an audio statement sent to Sudans Post, Yakani appealed to the rival factions to immediately cease hostilities and protect civilians in areas under their control. He urged the rival groups to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than armed confrontation.
The SPLA-IO has split into rival camps aligned with former First Vice President Riek Machar, with one faction supporting Nathaniel Oyet and another backing Regina.
Yakani said disagreements over leadership and control should not be resolved through armed confrontation.
“Our message to you as leaders is that we are seriously concerned about the safety and security of civilians who are facing your military confrontation,” he said.
“Therefore, we are appealing to you that, however much you disagree over control of leadership, resolve your differences through dialogue rather than through military confrontation.”
He warned that continued fighting could expose civilians to serious human rights violations.
The warning comes amid reports of clashes linked to the SPLA-IO split in Unity State, where two local youths previously told Sudans Post that forces allied to Oyet had taken control of a strategic river port in Leer County, following clashes with forces loyal to Regina Joseph Kaba, who has declared herself acting chairperson of the SPLA-IO.
The circumstances surrounding the reported takeover and the status of the area could not be independently verified by Sudans Post.
Yakani also identified Panyume, in Central Equatoria State, as another area where clashes between the rival factions had been reported. He said CEPO was monitoring the risk of further violence in the affected areas.
Separately, Yakani condemned fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and SPLA-IO forces around Mundri in Western Equatoria State, warning that continued armed confrontations could undermine the country’s political transition.
He questioned the commitment of political leaders to allowing citizens to exercise their right to vote and choose their leaders through elections if insecurity continued to disrupt the political environment.
“This is something that is disturbing. This is something that is posing a threat to any political transitional process in the country,” Yakani said.
The clashes could complicate preparations for the general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026, although the timing of the vote remains a subject of political debate.
Yakani called on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to document and publish reports on alleged abuses arising from confrontations involving rival SPLA-IO factions, government forces and other armed groups.
He said documenting the alleged violations would help establish a record that could support future accountability efforts.
“We are calling you that please resolve your differences through dialogue, not through the barrel of the gun,” Yakani said.