Tensions observed in South Sudan’s Pibor between SPLA and Cobra faction

December 31, 2015 (BOR) – Observers in South Sudan’s Pibor town have reported high tensions between the South Sudanese national army, the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA), and the Cobra faction of Murle ethnic group led by former greater Pibor chief administrator, David Yauyau.

Tensions came to surface after replacement of David Yauyau by Baba Medan, who was appointed this week by president Salva Kiir to govern the new Boma state, one of the newly created 28 states, and predominantly inhabited by Murle community.

Sources in Pibor town, capital of the new state, described the situation as tense, although the army movement was reportedly limited to their barracks. Many shops in Pibor town remained closed.

“The situation is tense here, especially between Cobra faction, under Yauyau leadership and the SPLA. Very few shops open this morning. They have put their interest first, and that of the community last, by mobilizing people to reject a neutral man, Baba Medan,” said the source.

Sam David, one of the former ministers in Yauyau administration in Pibor, who spoke to Sudan Tribune also on phone from Pibor, confirmed the tension as high, but dismissed the involvement of the SPLA and cobra faction.

“Yes there is tension. The general public are rejecting Baba Medan as the governor of Boma [state]. They say if the president appointed someone from Cobra faction or SPLM party, they would have accepted him, but Baba is not acceptable,” explained David.

David noted that unless the situation changed, Boma state governor, would not land in Pibor town or anywhere as he is rejected by the population.

Yauyau and his former officials, according to David, are now calling for calm in the communities, right from Sunday but the tension still remains unchanged.

Sources again confirmed that Yauyau, and the chiefs and youth leaders have moved to his home town of Gumruk, on Thursday, to conduct an emergency meeting in response to president Kiir’s appointment. Anyone who didn’t support him was not allowed to attend the meeting.

Yauyau’s former advisor on security and political affairs, Peter Guzulu Mazee, also attended the meeting.

“Yauyau was escorted by cobra fighters, chiefs and youth to Gumuruk town. The meetings he is holding Pibor are not known to people who don’t support him. If his security men see anyone who doesn’t support him, you are either beaten or kept far away without attending the meeting,” another eyewitness told Sudan Tribune on Thursday.

The new governor, Baba, confirmed the situation in a separate media report that David Yauyau and his forces have moved to Gumruk, adding the situation raised concerns over possible clashes with the government forces.

Yauyau rebelled in 2010 in protest to election results which he contested for state parliamentary seat but failed to win. He fought the government on and off for many years.

In 2014, he however signed a peace agreement with the government based on special arrangement to make greater Pibor an independent administrative area and he was appointed its chief administrator.

If he resumes fighting the government this would escalate insecurity in the former Jonglei state.

(ST)