Government and opposition continue to trade accusations over ceasefire violations
August 31, 2015 (JUBA) – The newly appointed caretaker governor of the oil-rich Upper Nile state, Chol Thon, has announced readiness of his administration to support president Salva Kiir in the implementation of the peace agreement he signed with former vice president, Riek Machar, the leader of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO).
“The new governor and the government of Upper Nile state was the first to welcome and sent congratulatory message to the president on the signing of the peace [agreement]. The governor on behalf of the people of Upper Nile state affirmed readiness of the leadership of the state to stand behind the decision of the president and pledged unwavering support in the implementation because signing the peace is one thing and the implementation is another thing,” minister Tuach told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
He accused the opposition forces of allegedly launching attack on the position held by government in and around Malakal in violation of the permanent ceasefire which the rival leaders declared and came into force midnight, Saturday.
“The rebels are claiming that they were attacked by our forces. It is not true. It is just propaganda to cover their behaviours. You know that rebels are always very fast to come out and accuse our forces even when they are known to have carried out the attack,” he further claimed.
The question remains, is Malakal under whose control, the government or the rebels? Malakal has been in the hand of the government and it is being known by IGAD. The rebel claim is baseless and unfounded because if Malakal is being attacked, who is attacking it? Can the government attack itself,” asked Tuach.
Rebels however dismissed claims that their forces attacked Malakal town, saying it was the government forces in Malakal that shelled their positions on the west bank of the River Nile.
South Sudan’s military spokesman, Colonel Philip Aguer, told reporters that government forces were attacked by opposition fighters on Monday in Unity and Upper Nile states.
SPLA-IO REFUTES ALLEGATION
Opposition forces under the leadership of Machar refuted allegations by the government and said they were only fighting in self-defence, blaming the government for violations of the permanent ceasefire.
The newly appointed military spokesperson for the rebels, Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday said the opposition forces came under separate attacks in Upper Nile and Unity states.
He also claimed that one of the government’s barges carrying troops and mounted with heavy weapons has been destroyed by the opposition fighters.
“The government troops have attacked our forces in Tonga county [Upper Nile state] this late afternoon [Monday]. One of the government’s barges has been burned by our forces and the fighting is still going on now,” Deng said in the statement.
He said in Unity state, government troops moving in the river with three barges and 7 gunboats shelled Wathkech payam, accusing the government of carrying out offensive despite peace deal.
“We want to inform the people of South Sudan that government is sabotaging the implementation of the peace deal,” he said.
Deng called upon the IGAD Plus, AU and international community to take action by investigating what was going on as the government continued to violate the ceasefire.
(ST)