Residents in Akobo County could be staring at a water crisis following the looting of solar panels powering a major water station in the area.
The looting occurred shortly after the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) announced that it had taken military control of the strategic border town in Jonglei State, following days of tension and military operations.
Video footage circulating on Wednesday showed groups of people dismantling and carrying away solar panels from the Akobo water pumping station, effectively crippling the town’s primary clean water source.
Witnesses speaking in the Nuer language described the destruction as devastating for the community, warning that the removal of the solar-powered system could leave residents without a reliable water supply even if they return.
“It makes me wonder how the people of Akobo will access clean water. Everything has been stripped, even the solar panels. It is heartbreaking to see residents destroying the very resources they depend on,” the unnamed bystander was recorded as saying.
The looting comes in the wake of a large-scale displacement of civilians after the SSPDF issued a 72-hour ultimatum on March 6 ordering civilians, humanitarian organizations, and United Nations peacekeepers to vacate the town ahead of planned military operations.
The order triggered widespread panic among residents and humanitarian workers, prompting thousands of civilians to flee across the nearby border into Ethiopia in search of safety.
As the deadline expired on March 9, the once-bustling town of Akobo was largely abandoned. Families who fled the area are now reportedly gathered along the banks of the Akobo River or sheltering in refugee settlements inside Ethiopia while waiting for the security situation to stabilize.
Despite appeals from international partners urging the government to reconsider the evacuation order in order to avoid a humanitarian crisis, the military operation proceeded as planned.
By March 10, clashes were reported within the town as government forces advanced to take control.
A day later, SSPDF spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang confirmed that the army had successfully captured Akobo.
However, officials acknowledged that the town was largely empty by the time government forces secured control, with civilians and aid agencies already gone.
The absence of residents and humanitarian personnel appears to have contributed to the looting that followed, including the dismantling of the solar infrastructure that powered the town’s water supply system.
The Akobo water pumping station relied on solar panels to power pumps that supplied clean water to residents.
With the solar equipment removed during the looting, the system is no longer functional, leaving the town without a reliable water source.
Humanitarian experts warn that restoring the facility could take significant time and resources, raising concerns about the conditions displaced residents may face if they attempt to return.
Access to clean water remains one of the most critical services for communities affected by conflict, particularly in remote areas like Akobo where alternative water infrastructure is limited.
Despite the damage and displacement, local authorities have begun urging civilians and humanitarian organizations to return to the town.
The reinstalled government commissioner of Akobo, James Kueth Makuach, said the security situation has stabilized and called on residents to come back and rebuild the community.
The SSPDF has also encouraged humanitarian agencies to resume operations, stating that the town is now safe for aid delivery.
