A/HRC/40/CRP.1 exacerbated ethnic tensions,1291 the Fertit militia which had existed before independence regrouped. The Fertit militia aligned themselves with the SPLA-IO (RM) although they continued to operate quite independently. 1292 From late 2015, large scale recruitment into opposition Fertit groups was reported, and these groups started attacking Government forces in the areas to the south and west of Wau town,1293 referred to as the Wau Triangle.1294 Also from late 2015, the Government deployed mostly Dinka SPLA soldiers and the Mathiang Anyoor to Wau from the neighbouring states of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal and Warrap.1295 This deployment coincided with an increase in attacks on Fertit villages in the Wau Triangle and on Fertit neighbourhoods of Wau town. 1296 Wau town, which is the capital of the state, has been consistently under the control of the Government. However, the presence of the SPLA-IO in the Wau Triangle has led to skirmishes and fighting between the SPLA and the SPLA-IO since late 2015.1297 A pattern developed in Wau town and the Wau Triangle of SPLA-IO forces ambushing SPLA forces and then SPLA forces retaliating for their losses against the civilian population which was perceived as supporting the opposition.1298 The killing, rape, pillage and burning of houses allegedly by SPLA soldiers based in the Wau Triangle led to thousands of displaced civilians.1299 As described in the Commission’s last report, since December 2015, there has been a number of major outbreaks of violence against civilians in Wau town including 17-18 February 2016, early April 2016, 24-25 June 2016, and 10 April 2017, in addition to the ongoing military skirmishes in the Wau Triangle.1300 The Commission heard that there continue to be low level clashes in Wau town in October 2018 including in Hai Nazareth and Hai Kamsin neighbourhoods.1301 The ongoing conflict is also driven in part by the yearly arrival in the area of cattle and armed Dinka cattle herders for grazing creating tension with the Fertit farmers who complain of the “invasion” of their farmland and destruction of their crops. 1302 This transhumance migration has occurred historically, and has exacerbated conflict in the area. While the Marial Baai Migration Peace Conference Resolution of November 2016 established parameters regulating cattle migration in the area, there is a Fertit perception that 1291 Confidential Meeting Wau, 9 October 2018; Confidential Source, ERN D105217-D105306, p. D105238; Confidential Source, ERN D105818-D105923, pp. D105885, D105886. 1292 Witness 953, ERN 101930–101935, para. 9; Confidential Meeting, Wau, 2 December 2018; Confidential Meeting, Wau, 29 November 2018; Golla, Rajiv, “Reassessing Ethno-Political Calculus in South Sudan’s War”, December 2017; Sarah Vuylsteke, “Briefing Paper: Identity and Self-Determination: The Fertit Opposition in South Sudan”, Human Security Baseline Assessment for South Sudan and Sudan, Small Arms Survey, December 2018. 1293 Confidential Source, ERN D106486-D106572, pp. D106552, D106555, D106558, D106561, D106564, D106567, D106570; Confidential Source, ERN D106378-D106485, pp. D106378, D106381, D106384, D106387, D106390; Golla, Rajiv, “Reassessing Ethno-Political Calculus in South Sudan’s War”, December 2017. 1294 The Wau Triangle is the triangular area between Wau town, Bazia to the south, and Bisselia to the west and also encompasses Mboro, Ngoko, Ngesa, Moi, Bussere, Baggari, Taban, and Faraj Allah. 1295 Witness 953, ERN 101930–101935, para. 12; Witness 178, ERN 100002-100006, para. 4; Confidential Source, ERN D106378D106485, pp. D106449, D106454, D106458, D106462, D106466, D106470, D106474, D106478, D106482; Human Rights Watch, “South Sudan: Civilians Killed, Tortured in Western Region”, 24 May 2016. 1296 Witness 178, ERN 100002-100006, para. 4; Confidential Source, ERN D106378-D106485, pp. D106449, D106454, D106458, D106462, D106466, D106470, D106474, D106478, D106482; Human Rights Watch, “South Sudan: Civilians Killed, Tortured in Western Region”, 24 May 2016. 1297 The Wau Triangle is the triangular area between Wau town, Bazia to the south, and Bisselia to the west and also encompasses Mboro, Ngoko, Ngesa, Moi, Bussere, Baggari, Taban, and Faraj Allah. 1298 See for e.g. Confidential Source, ERN D105924-D106050, pp. D105940, D105948, D106005, D106030, D106031; Confidential Source, ERN D106051-D106171, p. D106122; Human Rights Watch, “South Sudan: Civilians Killed, Tortured in Western Region”, 24 May 2016. 1299 Witness 178, ERN 100022-100006, paras. 4, 6; Witness 130, ERN 100007-100010, para. 4; Witness 135, ERN D101304D101307, para. 4; Witness 136, ERN D101254-D101258, para. 4; IOM DTM, “Greater Wau Area Displacement Overview”, June 2016. 1300 Confidential Source, ERN D100624-D100633, p. D100629. 1301 Witness 878, 101587-101592, para. 21; Witness 958, ERN 101783-101787, para. 4. 1302 CTSAMM, Report 003: Violations of the PCTSA in Western Bahr el Ghazal State concerning Protection of Civilians, 22 March 2016, p. 4; Confidential Source, ERN D105217-D105306, p. D105238. See also IOM DTM, “Greater Wau Area Displacement Overview”, June 2016, p. 1; Confidential Source, ERN D105924-D106050, pp. D105985, D105997; Confidential Source, ERN D106051-D106171, p. D106098. 163