2016–17 Wau clashes | |||||||
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Part of the South Sudanese Civil War, and the ethnic violence in South Sudan | |||||||
![]() UN protection of civilians (PoC) site in Wau town, where around 29.000 refugees stay who were displaced during the fighting. |
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Belligerents | |||||||
Local opposition |
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
![]() (SPLM-IO commander of Western Bahr el Ghazal) ![]() (SPLM-IO commander) ![]() ![]() (SPLM-IO shadow governor of Wau) ![]() (SPLM-IO spokesman in Wau) ![]() (NAS commander of Western Bahr el Ghazal) |
![]() (Governor of Wau State, dismissed & arrested) ![]() (Replacement Governor of Wau State) ![]() ![]() (Ngo Bagari County Commissioner) ![]() (SPLA deputy chief of staff) ![]() (local SPLA commander) |
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Units involved | |||||||
Unknown |
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Strength | |||||||
2,400+ |
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Casualties and losses | |||||||
500+ killed(as of late June 2016) 70,000–150,000 displaced |
Ongoing
Local opposition
Heavy clashes take place in the Wau State since late June 2016 between the Dinka-dominated Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and local opposition forces, consisting of tribal Fertit militias as well as fighters claiming allegiance to Riek Machar. It is unclear to what extent these rebels are actually part of the SPLM-IO or acting independently while using the SPLM-IO's name. So far, the clashes resulted in the arrest of the state's governor, Elias Waya Nyipuoc, widespread death and destruction in the state capital, Wau town, and the displacement of up to 150,000 people.