page_title: 2016–2019 Wau clashes
section_title: Paul Malong Awan's rebellion, renewed clashes, and ceasefire deal
hierarchical_section_title: 2016–2019 Wau clashes / Clashes / Paul Malong Awan's rebellion, renewed clashes, and ceasefire deal
caption_attribution_description: English: Paul Malong Awan
context_page_description: Armed clashes took in Wau State from late June 2016 to January 2019, between the Dinka-dominated Sudan People's Liberation Army 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. 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.
context_section_description: In January 2018, it was discovered that former SPLA Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan planned his own rebellion against the government, and had begun to organize an attack of associates on Wau airport. The plot failed, and members of the 5th Division who were suspected of being allied with Malong were arrested, while the rest of the division remained alert in case of further possible incidents. Governor Angelo Taban Biajo subsequently declared that there was no further security risks in Wau. Despite initially denying his involvement in any plan to attack Wau, Malong later openly rebelled and started a new insurgent group, the "South Sudan United Front" (SS-UF). In the following months, several officers of the 5th Division joined the insurgency against the government. One of them, Captain Baak Bol Baak, was an alleged Malong follower and escaped with his troops from Wau to join the South Sudan Patriotic Army rebels in Northern Bahr el Ghazal in February 2018. Another, Stephen Buay Rolnyang, was the former chief commander of the 5th Division and rebelled in Mayom in May 2018. Major General Keer Kiir Keer was appointed new head of the SPLA's 5th Division.
  Meanwhile, the security situation in Wau State had improved, so that about 14,000 displaced people returned to their homes between January and June 2018; nevertheless, about 30,000 remained at the refugee camps. Much of western Wau State remained in rebel hands, and the political situation there remained tense; areas like the greater Baggari sub-area were mostly cut off from humanitarian aid and were thus threatened by famine. The Juba-based CTSAMM monitoring group also accused one SPLM-IO group which operated northwest of Wau town of having recruited child soldiers; the SPLM-IO consequently stated that this faction had possibly "gone rogue".
  In June 2018, fighting reportedly resumed between government and rebel forces, as SPLM-IO rebels claimed that the SPLA had started to attack them at Ngo-Baggari. According to Human Rights Watch, the SPLA's 5th Division under Maj. Gen. Keer Kiir Keer began an assault on rebel-held areas south and southwest of Wau as well as the town of Wad Alel from 12 June, probably to regaining territory before a planned ceasefire agreement could come into effect. Wad Alel, a settlement dominated by Luo, was captured and mostly destroyed by the SPLA, although the rebel continued to maintain an underground presence in the town. The military reportedly overran rebel positions at Baggari, Bisellia, and Engo halima on 23 June, though the rebels managed to regain these areas in course of a counter-attack on the following day. On 25 June, the SPLM-IO insurgents claimed that the SPLA and allied JEM militiamen had attempted to capture Omboro from them, though the attack was allegedly repulsed. The government denied these accusations, and an army spokesman stated that "there is no fighting because peace talks are ongoing". Although a countrywide ceasefire was supposed to take effect on 30 June, the SPLA reportedly attacked the rebels' base of Mboro in Wau State on that day. The government rejected these accusations, stating that Mboro had been under its control since 2016. A rebel spokesman said about the purported clashes in Wau State that "There is the possibility Salva Kiir is not in control of his forces or he doesn't want peace to come".
  The SPLA offensive continued unabated in the next months, resulting in clashes at Baggari, Bringi, Basselia, Mboro, Farajalla, Ngisa, Ngo Dakalla, Wad Alel, and along the Jur River. Tens of thousands of civilians were once again displaced, and there were reports widespread abuses at the hands of both sides. Mboro was captured by the SPLA after a battle lasting from 24 to 30 June, whereupon much of the community was destroyed. SPLM-IO rebels retook Wad Alel in July, forcibly recruiting locals and looting the settlement before retreating. According to witnesses, security forces arrested local men belonging to ethnic minorities suspected insurgents, during the offensive. The detainees were transported to facilities at
caption: Paul Malong Awan, former SPLA army chief, reportedly planned an attack on Wau in early 2018
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