S. Sudan rivals trade accusations of fresh attacks
May 7, 2016 (BENTIU/MAYOM) – Rival forces from South Sudan have traded fresh accusations over attack on civilians in Unity state counties of Mayom and Rubkotna.
The commissioner of Mayom county, John Bol Mayak claimed the armed opposition allied to the first vice president Riek Machar raided nearly 2000 herds of cattle in Bilthiang, a village south-east of Mayom county on Friday.
The armed group, Mayak said, were commanded by Peter Tang, the opposition-appointed commissioner of Rubkotna.
11 people were killed; seven of the bodies were identified as belonging to members of SPLA-IO and five others were from the government side, he told Sudan Tribune, adding that five soldiers were under treatment at Mayom hospital.
Those who carried out the attack were allegedly armed with Rocket Propeller Guns, among other heavy weapons.
“It is unfortunate that the armed forces from SPLA-IO still carry out attacks on the civilians, meanwhile the first vice president has formed a transitional government of national unity with comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit,” explained Mayak.
OPPOSTION DISMISS CLAIMS
But a press secretary for the opposition-appointed governor of Unity state, Weirial Puok Baluang dismissed government’s claims and instead accused the latter of violating the peace agreement allegedly by attacking civilians at Ruokchiengduot village in Rubkotna county on Friday.
He claimed heavy armed government troops from Mayom county had launched heavy attacks and killed five civilians, allegations Sudan Tribune could not independently verify.
“It is very miserable for the adversaries of peace to continue attacking civilians and looting of properties remains fragile while peace is already availing in the country,” said Puok.
He urged regional leaders and Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) to send their teams to verify the situation on the ground, accusing the Juba government of violating the ceasefire agreement in total disregard of the peace protocol.
(ST)