Governor Jadallah orders probe into civilian killings in Wonduruba

JUBA – The governor of South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadalla Wani, has formed a committee to investigate the killing of civilians by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Wonduruba Administrative Payam.

Fierce fighting erupted on October 9, 2024, between forces loyal to two former members of the opposition National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka.

Forces belonging to Gen. Kennedy Kenyi Abdu, also known as Kenyi Warrior, who defected to the SSPDF last June, clashed with forces belonging to a NAS splinter group led by John Kenyi Lotio at Logoko Boma of Wonduruba.

Lotio, also known as Kenyi Loburon, defected from the Cirilo-led NAS to form the National Salvation United Front Forces (NSUF). He has not joined the SSPDF and continues to operate independently.

Multiple local sources told Sudans Post on October 10 that the fighting resulted in the deaths of at least nine SSPDF soldiers and an unknown number of NSUF rebels.

Ten civilians were killed, including one who later succumbed to injuries, and between 17 and 20 others were wounded.

In an order issued on Thursday, Governor Jadalla established a special committee to investigate the killings.

The committee is mandated to conduct a thorough investigation into the events and is expected to deliver its findings to the Governor within two weeks.