South Sudan: As South Sudan Plans for Elections, a Town Counts the Cost of War
[The New Humanitarian] Akobo, South Sudan -- "We've never had capable leaders who could translate people's struggle into meaningful action."
Akobo, South Sudan — Collapsing peace and a town's struggle to recover
For years, Akobo in eastern South Sudan has been a flashpoint for renewed fighting between government and opposition forces. Now, as the nation prepares for its first ever elections, the town faces the devastating consequences of war. Thousands of people who fled the conflict have returned, revealing the scale of challenges that lie ahead.
The South Sudanese government, led by President Salva Kiir, formed a unity administration with the opposition in 2020. However, the peace deal has not been properly implemented, and the opposition leader, Riek Machar, faces charges including treason. Government forces have accused Machar's supporters of supporting an armed militia attack, while human rights groups accuse both sides of using incendiary bombs and looting.
In Akobo, widespread pillage occurred when the town changed hands in March. Opposition forces retook it in April, but schools remain barely functioning, health workers are overwhelmed, and food is scarce. While a relative calm has returned, fighting has continued elsewhere. John Wiyual Lul, an opposition-appointed local commissioner, says no peace can come as long as Machar remains detained.
The town lies in a key corridor between Ethiopia and South Sudan and is a critical humanitarian hub. After losing several military positions in Jonglei, the South Sudanese army launched an offensive against Akobo in March. Over 100,000 people crossed the border into Ethiopia, seeking safety. Those who returned faced dire conditions.
Nyariak Reath, a displaced woman, described arriving in Ethiopia with nothing to eat and giving birth under trees with no medication. Gatjiuk Kulang, a midwife at the hospital, recounted her own loss and the malnutrition of her young patient.
As of the end of August, the International Organization for Migration recorded 79,000 returnees to Akobo. However, estimates vary, ranging from government figures of 270,000 to 119,000. Many displaced people returned empty-handed, forced to search for scraps of their former lives. The host community in Akobo is not faring much better, with families sleeping without blankets or mosquito nets and struggling to find food and shelter.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
