S. Sudan rebels repulse attack in Upper Nile

April 17, 2015 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese rebels said they repulsed an imminent attack by pro-government forces in Khor-Athoy, located to the north of Upper Nile state on Friday.

“Today (Friday), the government renewed its dry season campaign of attacks on our positions, but we repulsed them into their territory where they launched these offensives,” Koang told Sudan Tribune.

Vowing not to tolerate any more aggression from government forces, the rebel spokesperson said they would retaliate, if attacked.

“Right now we are in our position, we will never step to their position unless they attack us. We will respond accordingly,” said Koang.

He said the armed opposition forces were under strict instructions from their commander-in-chief not to move from their territories.

Koang accused pro-government of allegedly violating several cessation of hostility agreements signed since January 2014.

“We are calling on the international community, AU, the IGAD to condemn with the strongest terms possible the ongoing violations in several frontlines by forces loyal to Salva Kiir. We therefore call upon the international community and the AU not to blame us,should we retaliate on the government offensive,” Koang said.

Reports of these attacks come on the heels of a planned rebel conference in Pagak, a county at the South Sudan-Ethiopia border.

Last month, both the rebels and government failed to broker a peace deal mediated by the East African regional leaders in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The next round of talks, IGAD said, will involve China, AU, the United Nations, and the troika trio of the United States, Norway and the UK.

(ST)