S. Sudan rebels deny destroying oil facilities
January 24, 2015 (KAMPALA) – South Sudan’s armed opposition office in Uganda has dismissed as “rubbish” allegations by Juba that rebel forces set fire to oil facilities in Unity state this week.
But David Otim, the head of rebel faction’s diplomatic office in Uganda refuted the government’s claims, describing it as propaganda aimed at tarnishing the opposition’s image.
“Reports we received from the militarily on ground indicate the government was responsible for the violation by trying to regain more territories under our forces,” said Otim.
“That one is a desperate militarily maneuver from the defeated forces of President Salva Kiir. Our forces have never attacked any oil installation,” he added.
The rebel official, however, insisted military options would not resolve the ongoing conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million.
The latest incident comes after the South Sudanese army (SPLA) downplayed threats from rebel forces earlier this month, saying it remains in full control of oil fields in both Unity and Upper Nile states.
South Sudan’s oil production has decreased to one quarter of its usual output since conflict broke out in mid-December 2013 following an internal political dispute in the ruling SPLM party.
Production has ceased in Unity state and only barrels in Upper Nile are functional, according to officials.
The latest incident violates an agreement brokered by China in Khartoum on 12 January in which both government and rebel forces committed to protecting oil facilities and foreign workers.
China is the largest investor in South Sudan’s oil industry, the country’s main source of revenue.
Although peace talks between the warring parties, which are being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have so far failed to yield a lasting political settlement to the crisis, despite growing international pressure for both sides to set aside their differences.
However, this week three factions of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed an agreement seeking to reunify the rank and file of its leadership and membership, pledging to work together for reforms and national unity.
The accord, signed in Arusha, Tanzania, serves as a roadmap towards ending the violent conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted millions others from their homes when political debates on reforms within the SPLM party turned violent.
(ST)