Northern Liech state accuses SPLA-IO of ceasefire violations

April 4, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s Northern Liech state government has accused fighters allied to the armed opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) of allegedly violating the ceasefire by attacking government’s positions in the state.

“The Government of the Northern Liech State Condemns the yesterday attacks by the armed militia under the commands of Col Both Riah and Gatluak Wal Yoh where they carry out an attack in Juach, a village inhabited by civilians and their cattle was raided and later on chased the people towards Bentiu town and the Government forces went there and repulsed them back,” said Lam Tunguar, Northern Liech state minister of information in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday.

He said 2 government soldiers were killed when a group of armed men, roughly numbering 30, attacked them in the area.

Tunguar blamed for the attack armed elements, which he said are associated with the SPLM-IO, calling on the opposition faction to investigate the matter.

The state minister also called on the SPLA-IO forces to station themselves in designated locations and control movement of their forces.

“For your information as the press, [SPLA] IO forces are supposed to station themselves or their forces in the area of Tuoc Luak in Leek area and Dingding in Leer and Panyijiar in Southern end of the Southern Liech state. It is unfortunate that they are just wondering all about and around in factions and not stationing themselves in their respective places as agreed by the warring parties,” he said.

He warned that the government will be forced to take action against the perpetrators should they continue to cause havoc in the area.

“The state is for peace and not for war and we are assuring the general population of Bentiu under the Leadership of Dr Manytuil Wejang that your government is working to make sure stability in the state is achieved soonest possible and the government has all the strategies in place.”

He called on the international community to reign in the opposition faction and stop it from the violations.

(ST)