SUMMARY
The non-state conflict between SPLM/A(Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army) and WNBF (West Nile Bank Front), was, for a large part, a war-by-proxy between the Government of Uganda and the Government of Sudan. As such, due to the tense nature of inter-state relations, SPLM/A was armed, trained, and allowed to establish bases in Ugandan territory, while WNBF was basically created under the auspices of the Sudanese Government by a group of former members of Idi Amins government in order to topple Museveni, the president of Uganda.
Clashes between the two groups started as WNBF was allowed, in 1995, to establish bases in the strategically vital town of Kajo-Keji, located close to the Sudanese-Ugandan border, which had recently been recaptured by the Government of Sudan from SPLM/A. From there, WNBF began making its way towards the Ugandan frontier, in an attempt to secure territory controlled by SPLM/A in order to create a corridor through which WNBF members could safely pass in order to conduct cross-border attacks into Uganda.
Fighting took the form of clashes between the two groups in various locations situated alongside the border between South Sudan and Uganda. Early in the course of the fighting, in 1995, the WNBF seemed to have the upper hand, managing to capture a number of SPLM/A positions. However, this state of affairs proved to be short-lived. In 1997, as SPLM/A increased in strength, it managed to recapture most strategic positions previously lost. Furthermore, by mid-1997, SPLM/A succeeded in recapturing Kajo-Keji in a sustained assault while inflicting significant losses to the WNBF. This cut access to Uganda for WNBF, de-structuring the group and forcing most of its members to either leave for Zaire or retreat alongside the forces of the Government of Sudan. This marked the end of operations for WNBF in Sudan, and the end of the conflict between SPLM/A and WNBF.
The non-state conflict between SPLM/A and WNBF is first included in UCDP data in 1995. In June of that year clashes between the two groups resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.
