Eng Charles Barnaba Kisanga, a respected elder in Western Equatoria State (WES), has sounded the alarm over the potential for new proxy wars in the region. Kisanga revealed that heavy skirmishes broke out in Bambuti Payamu, near Tambura, between Sekeka rebels and an armed group from the Central African Republic (CAR) who pursued them.
The situation has escalated with the CAR launching operations against the Sekeka rebels on South Sudan soil, causing civilians to flee the fighting towards Source Yubu. It is worth noting that the Sekeka rebels have been infringing on South Sudanese soil for the past year since the civil war in Tambura cooled down, giving them the freedom to patrol the land and reorganize themselves.
Kisanga believes this poses a significant threat to the government of CAR, and he has urged the national government to intervene before the situation spirals out of control. He questioned the WES government’s decision to entertain the presence of the Sekeka rebels within their area, suggesting that there might be an interest in colluding with external forces undermining local security or incompetence within the government.
As tensions rise and the potential for further violence increases, it is essential that the government takes action to protect its citizens and prevent any further escalation of the conflict. The situation in WES requires urgent attention and cooperation between the governments of South Sudan and CAR to ensure a peaceful resolution.
