S. Sudan’s Jonglei based Yauyau rebel claims cordoning Pibor town

May 14, 2013 (JUBA) – A rebel group fighting in South Sudan’s Jonglei State on Tuesday claimed to have laid a siege on Pibor town, highlighting the level of their activities in the area have reached in recent days.

The rebel’s official spokesperson, Colonel Peter Konyi Kubrin, issued a warning to the civilian populations in the state capital Bor to evacuate the town, claiming they have a sent a force to attack it in due course.

“The South Sudan Democratic Army (SSDA) is here to confirm to the international community and the South Sudan public that Pibor town is on the verge of falling into our hands. The SPLA Commander ran to UNMISS [United Nations Mission in South Sudan] compound and he is now a refugee. Our forces are now in trenches inside Pibor town. Only one pocket of SPLA is left so that we declare the liberation of the town”, Kubrin said in a statement

The rebel officer further added they have sent two battalions to attack Bor town and to block the road to Juba and warned civilians to avoid using the road.

Sudan Tribune was not able to verify claims of the advancement into Pibor town.

Attempts to reach Joshua Konyi, the Pibor county commissioner did not succeed on Tuesday while military sources hinted at fighting in the vicinity of the town, but denied that the commanding officer had sought refuge at the UN camp.

The office of the spokesperson for Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), which is the official army of South Sudan, did not comment on the rebel claims when contacted on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the UNMISS on Tuesday said it was deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in and around Pibor town, after reports emerged that some armed elements were warning civilians in the area of an imminent attack, prompting them to leave.

“These developments have led to significant displacement of the civilian population out of Pibor town,” the mission said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

The UN, however, said it remains the “primary” responsibility of South Sudan government to protect the population from any insecurity threats.

The mission further called on the civilian and military authorities, at the national, Jonglei State and Pibor County levels, to take immediately control of the situation, take action against any perpetrators and hold them to account.

(ST)