JONGLEI – The government-appointed Commissioner of Akobo County, James Kueth Makuach, is feared dead following heavy clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the SPLA-IO in Walgak, Jonglei State on Sunday.
According to the SPLM-IO-appointed Commissioner of Akobo County, John Wiyual Lul, SPLA-IO forces briefly took control of Walgak before carrying out what he described as a tactical withdrawal. He claimed that Commissioner Makuach, along with Executive Director Tut Chai Riek, SSPDF Brigadier Chuol Pathot, and officer Gai Makuach Pan, were killed during the fighting.
However, Jonglei State Deputy Governor Wilson Awuol Gajang said the commissioner’s status remains unconfirmed, adding that government forces later repelled the attack and regained control of the area. He noted that casualty figures are still being verified.
Authorities have not yet issued an official confirmation regarding the reported death of Commissioner James Kueth Makuach.
The clashes are the latest in a series of localized confrontations between SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces in Jonglei State, a region that has remained volatile despite peace agreement efforts.
Investigations and verification of battlefield reports are ongoing as the situation remains fluid.
