Rebels accuse gov’t troops of ceasefire violations in S. Sudan’s oil areas

February 18, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s rebel group led by former vice-president Riek Machar have renewed accusation against president Salva Kiir’s government of violating the cessation of hostilities agreement as fighting flared up in oil-producing states of the country.

A rebel leader’s spokesperson said government troops have launched dry season offensives against the rebel forces in their controlled areas in Unity and Upper Nile states for the last three days.

“Troops loyal to president Salva Kiir with support of their foreign allies have been attacking our defence positions this week in violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement,” said Machar’s spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak.

He told Sudan Tribune that government forces try to expand their areas of control particularly around oil producing territories, ahead of the resumption of peace talks.

Dak further accused “elements” in the government’s top military command of rejecting peace and preferring military solution.

He said their fighters repulsed and defeated government troops around areas of Unity state’s capital, Bentiu, as well as around Renk and Melut, where the main oil field is located in Upper Nile state.

Forces loyal to president Kiir and their allies during their attempt, he said, suffered huge losses in both material and human lives, further adding the rebel forces had no intention to follow the “provocateurs” into the towns unless “further provoked.”

In Juba, South Sudanese defence minister Kuol Manyang Juuk Wednesday blamed the rebels for starting the fight, saying fighting was still going on in strategic locations and around oil fields in Upper Nile state.

Speaking to the AFP, Manyang admitted that government troops suffered 80 wounded soldiers while 50 others still missing in a single battle of Kaka area near the Upper Nile’s state capital, Malakal.

He accused the rebel leader Riek Machar of allegedly losing control of his forces who have refused to observe the cessation of hostilities signed by the two warring parties since 23 January 2014.

The renewed counter-accusations come a day before the two warring parties are rescheduled to resume talks on 19 February in Addis Ababa.

(ST)