South Sudan: Mass Exodus Amidst Ongoing Clashes in Akobo. Juba, South Sudan — City, Country — Hundreds of thousands of residents have fled the town of Akobo in South Sudan following renewed clashes between government and opposition forces.
The situation has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, with reports indicating a severe lack of aid for those displaced.
According to local reports, the South Sudanese army instructed foreign aid agencies to leave Akobo last week, preceding a military operation aimed at restoring government control.
The United Nations refused to evacuate the town, but Doctors Without Borders (MSF) evacuated their health facilities over the weekend, which were subsequently looted.
The opposition has claimed victory in an attack on the army on Tuesday, leading to their defeat.
However, the army contradicted this, announcing that it had reinstalled the ‘legitimate’ commissioner for the area. With communications limited, confirming events on the ground has been challenging.
A source with a security agency in the country confirmed that the army entered Akobo on Tuesday, and clashes have been reported across the town.
An estimated 200,000 people have fled to Tiergol, on the Ethiopian border. South Sudan, which gained independence 15 years ago, has been addressing violence and poverty since its inception.
A 2018 power-sharing deal between President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar has been in jeopardy since early 2025, with violence erupting in multiple areas and raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict.
The current situation in Akobo highlights the ongoing instability and the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire. With the government and opposition forces engaged in a power struggle, the humanitarian situation is expected to worsen. Further details are expected as the situation unfolds.
