NAS accuses SSDPF of attacking civilians in Central Equatoria
July 15, 2023 (JEBEL LADO) – The hold-out group has expressed concerns over reports of operations of South Sudan Peoples Defense Forces against Mundari civilians in surrounding villages of Jebel Lado in Central Equatoria State.
The National Salvation Front (NAS), in a statement issued extended to Sudan Tribune, claimed the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Gen. Santino Wol Deng ordered the operations.
The operations were reportedly carried out to retrieve two rifles allegedly taken following the killing of two members of the Tiger division, which is allied to SSPDF.
“Following the development on Wednesday, 12th of July 2023, the SSDF conducted an operation against the Mundari civilians in the cattle camps, causing displacement, looting of property and injuring 8 civilians, including children,” partly reads NAS’s statement.
The group condemned what it described as “heinous” and “unabated” acts by the SSPDF leadership, allegations Sudan Tribune could not independently verify.
It further said CDF’s languages was “violent, unprofessional and indiscriminate”.
“NAS, therefore, holds CDF Gen. Santino Deng Wol Chok for the atrocities [committed] against the Mundari people,” further stressed the statement.
The group also vowed to stand in solidarity with the Mundari people against what it described as the “gruesome” and “murderous” acts carried out by the SSPDF.
NAS is among several groups that did not join the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The hold-out group previously said it remains committed to the cessation of hostilities deal signed in 2017.
(ST)