SSDF and SSLA Forces Captured three SPLA’s barracks in Maban

SSDF and SSLA Joint Command, Maban, South Sudan

April, 17, 2012

The gallant forces of South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) and South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) today attacked three outposts of SPLA and captured them at 11:30 am, April, 17, 2012. The Joint Forces of SSDF and SSLA were commanded by veteran fighter, Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang Chol, who was member of SPLM/A Political Military High Command in 1980s. Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang, along with Dr. Riek Machar, staged a coup against the leadership of John Garang in Nasir in 1991 and was number three in the SPLM/A-United faction.

The revolutionary forces captured twelve SPLA soldiers including one Major called Peter Deng Awan from Warrap. They also captured one Toyota Land cruiser; destroyed one T-72 tank; captured 23 PKM machine guns, 42 AK-47s; four RPG-7; one B-10; two 12.5 mm and five mortars. Lt. Gen. Gordon Koang said the revolutionary forces will advance to Maban town on Tuesday onwards.

The SSDF and SSLA call upon UNHCR to immediately evacuate refugees from Blue Nile who are in Maban town. Our forces are only 35 KM away from where the refugee camp is located. For their safety, the UNHCR must immediately instruct refugees to go to Ethiopian border which is only five hours walk. The SPLA forces in Maban surrounded the refugees and want to use them as human shields in violation of international laws. We therefore advise the UNMISS to evacuate refugees as soon as possible before Thursday, April, 19, 2012.

We call upon civilians in Malakal to evacuate the town before our forces arrive because SPLA forces intermingle with civilians in the town making it difficult to avoid civilian casualties in the crossfire. It is extremely important for NGOs, civilians and UN personnel to make immediate arrangements to leave Malakal before May.