2016–2019 Wau clashes

2016–2019 Wau clashes
	Part of the South Sudanese Civil War, and the ethnic violence in South Sudan
	; UN protection of civilians (PoC) site in the town of Wau for refugees who were displaced during the fighting. By December 2016 around 29,000 civilians had found shelter there; by July 2017 this number had swelled to 39,000.
Date	23 June 2016 – 31 January 2019; (2 years, 7 months, 1 week and 1 day)
Location	Wau State, South Sudan
Result	Stalemate; peace agreement Government secures the town of Wau, and most of Wau State; Rebel forces maintain control of several areas;
Belligerents
Local opposition Fertit tribal militias; SPLM-IO rebels; NAS (since March 2017); Luo tribal militias (since Feb. 2017) Aguok and Apuk tribal militias (since Aug. 2017)	SPLM government SPLM-IO (Taban Deng Gai splinter faction); JEM (opposition claim)
Commanders and leaders
Brig. Gen. Augustine Charles; (SPLM-IO commander of Western Bahr el Ghazal); Maj. Gen. Ashhab Khamis Fahal Ukanda; (SPLM-IO commander); Gissmalla Arnu(SPLM-IO commander); Peter Tingo; (SPLM-IO shadow governor of Wau by June 2016); Dominic Ukello; (SPLM-IO shadow governor of Wau by early 2017); Col. Nicola Gabriel Adam; (SPLM-IO spokesman in Wau); Gen. Faiz Ismail Fatur; (NAS commander of Western Bahr el Ghazal)	Lt. Gen. Paul Malong Awan; (SPLA Chief of General Staff 2016–17); Lt. Gen. James Ajonga Mawut; (SPLA Chief of General Staff from 2017); Elias Waya Nyipuoc (POW); (Wau governor until 2016); Andrea Mayan Achor; (Wau governor 2016–17); Angelo Taban Biajo; (Wau governor from 2017); Lt. Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak; (5th Division, 2016); Maj. Gen. Michael Majur Alier; (5th Division, c. 2017/18); Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang; (5th Division, c. 2017/18); Maj. Gen. Keer Kiir Keer; (5th Division, 2018–19); Brig. Gen. Peter Par Jiek †; Mathok Akec †; Col. Abraham Bol Chut Dhuol †; Gen. Magok Magok; Gen. Thayip Gatluak
Units involved
SPLA-IO Western Bahar Ghazal Lion Forces (WBGLF);	SPLA 5th Division; Mathiang Anyoor; South Sudan Air Force; South Sudan Police Service; Dinka tribal militias
Strength
Several thousand fighters	Several thousand fighters 1,200 (in Momoi and Abushaka); Several Mil Mi-17s and Mil Mi-24s;
Casualties and losses
7,000 defected (gov. claim)	Unknown
	500+ killed (as of late June 2016); 70,000–150,000 displaced

Armed clashes took in Wau State from late June 2016 to January 2019 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 were 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.

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