2016–2019 Wau clashes

2016 Wau clashes
Part of the South Sudanese Civil War
Date Late June 2016 Location Wau State, South Sudan Status Government victory
Belligerents
Unidentified opposition fighters Islamic Movement for Liberation of Raja (government claim)	SPLM government SPLA
Commanders and leaders
Unknown "dissident South Sudanese politician" Ali Tamim Fartak (government claim)	Elias Waya Nyipuoc (Governor of Wau State, dismissed & arrested) Andrea Mayan (Governor of Wau State) Lt. Gen. Mangar Buong Aluenge (SPLA deputy Chief of Staff for Operations)
Casualties and losses
400 civilians killed, 30,000 displaced

In June 2016, heavy clashes ocurred in Wau State between the Sudan People's Liberation Army and unidentified opposition fighters. They resulted in the arrest of the state's governor, Elias Waya Nyipuoc, and widespread destrucution as well as death.

History

In late June 2016, insecurity in Wau State increased dramatically, as unidentified gunmen emerged who at first murdered at least 8 soldiers around the state, and then captured Raja town in the neighbouring Lol State for a short time, killing several bodyguards of the local governor. As result, a state of emergency was declared in Wau, and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) moved in, officially to prevent further escalation of violence. Governor Waya initially claimed to support the emergency declaration, stating " All who are here are rebels, so the Division [5 of the] SPLA is ready and even those who are just walking around are ready". However, opposition groups claimed that the army soon began to plunder the state capital, Wau town, and to assault the civilian population, leading Governor Waya to criticise the army.

Soon thereafter, on 24 June 2016, President Kiir unexpectedly sacked Waya, and just a few hours later, had him arrested. A local SPLA commander declared that Waya had been arested because he was responsible for the deteriorating situation in the state, claiming that he had no respect for the military and talked "nonsense". A few days later, a document began to circulate on the internet that claimed that Lt. Gen. Mangar Buong Aluenge of the SPLA had plotted from the very beginning to remove and arrest Waya, while the Society for Threatened Peoples believed that Waya's criticism of the army had led to his arrest.

After Waya's dismissal, the situation escalated completely, as a heavy battle broke out in Wau town. Opposition groups later claimed that local fighters had simply tried to defend themselves from the army's aggression, while the army maintained that opposition fighters had attempted to storm the town. By late 25 June, the SPLA claimed to have finally secured the town and began to search for hiding insurgents. Consequently, the SPLA imposed a curfew in Wau town the next day.

On 28 June, Wau town was once again attacked by a major force of insurgents, reportedly 700 fighters, under the "command of [a] dissident South Sudanese politician and joined by other Sudanese militias". Government officials claimed that most assailants belonged to the "Islamic Movement for Liberation of Raja". The assault was eventually repelled, leaving 40 dead behind. Meanwhile, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition distanced itself from the local uprising. It was estimated that the fighting Wau had resulted in 400 civilians killed, and 30,000 displaced.

By 30 July, UNMISS claimed that they had received reports about uniformed gunmen executing civilians in the town.