The government-appointed commissioner of Akobo County in Jonglei State, James Kueth Makuach, is feared dead following clashes between government troops and SPLA-IO forces in Walgak on Sunday.
However, state officials say his whereabouts are still unconfirmed.
John Wiyual Lul, the SPLM-IO-appointed commissioner of Akobo County, told South Sudanese local broadcaster Radio Tamazuj that opposition fighters launched an attack on Walgak around 6 a.m., briefly overrunning the area before withdrawing after government reinforcements arrived from the nearby town of Waat.
Wiyual claimed that Commissioner James Kueth Makuach and his executive director, Tut Chai Riek, were killed in the fighting.
He also reported the deaths of SSPDF Brigadier Chuol Pathot and another officer, Gai Makuach Pan.
“Our forces attacked and overran Walgak this morning before making a tactical withdrawal,” he said.
“Several bodies were left behind after the clash. Government forces later retook the area, but our troops remain nearby.”
Several soldiers were also killed, though exact casualty figures were not available as the opposition forces pulled back quickly.
In contrast, Jonglei State Deputy Governor Wilson Awuol Gajang said the commissioner’s location remains unknown after SPLA-IO forces targeted his residence in Akobo West, Walgak area, early on Sunday morning.
“There is fighting, but we have not yet gathered full details,” Gajang stated.
“The IO forces attacked the commissioner’s residence but have since been pushed out.”
Deng Bol Wuol, a member of the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly, confirmed the morning clash in Walgak but noted that casualty details from the government side were still unclear.
James Kueth Makuach defected from the SPLM-IO to the ruling SPLM in April. He had earlier been removed as commissioner by the SPLM-IO leadership in January and replaced by John Wiyual Lul.
After initially resisting, he stepped down following local mediation. He was later reappointed by the government following a military offensive in March.
Under the 2018 peace agreement, the Akobo commissioner position is designated for the SPLM-IO.
Bol Deng Bol, chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, described the renewed violence as a reminder of the urgent need for inclusive political dialogue ahead of South Sudan’s planned December elections.
He emphasized calls for talks that include detained SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar.Akobo has seen repeated fighting between SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces since March, including periods when each side briefly controlled the town.
These clashes have displaced thousands of civilians, many of whom only recently started returning home.
The latest incident in Walgak occurred days after residents in Akobo held a peaceful protest demanding the release of delayed humanitarian cash assistance from Juba.
