S. Sudan’s rival forces clash over control of oil-rich town

October 27, 2014 (JUBA) – Fresh clashes occurred in South Sudan’s Unity state on Monday as rival forces clashed the very day peace talks were meant to commence in Ethiopia.

The incident, in violation of the cessation of hostile deal agreed on in January and re-committed to in May, comes days after the two rival leaders met for talks in Arusha, Tanzania.

“There is a fighting going on now in Bentiu as we are here. The rebels of Riek Machar have launched an attack on the positions of the SPLA forces in the area and we are expecting them to do the same in other areas, especially in Upper Nile state,” president Salva Kiir told the opening session of the governors’ forum in Juba on Monday.

He said the rebels lacked commitment to the scores of agreements they signed with government, opting for military means to end war.

“While we have gathered here to talk about peace and reconciliation, Riek and his group are thinking about stories to tell the international community to cover what they are doing on the ground”, said Kiir.

Sources said fighting erupted in Unity oil fields at about 9:00am (local time), as rebels reportedly pushed government forces to Kubur Nyabol, located 4km north of the United Nations base in Rubkotna.

“This [Monday] afternoon, a number of residents from Bentiu and Rubkotna have appeared in the camp for safety under the UN protection,” a resident told Sudan Tribune by phone, adding that civilians often suffer when the two rival forces clash.

It is, however, still unclear as to which side started the fight, despite the two rivals trading accusations against one another in the past.

But, the South Sudan leader called for coordinated efforts from all the different levels in order to bring about stability and development.

“We must work together from the county level, state and national level. We must coordinate all efforts from all levels,” he stressed.

Several government officials, donors, diplomats, lawmakers and civil society members, among others, attended the forum on the theme, national reconciliation to restore peace, unity and reconstruction.

The conference will reportedly examine how best the country can tackle the current political challenges, amidst struggles to end the conflict that has killed thousands and displaced over a million people.

(ST)