S. Sudan rebels accuse of government of launching fresh attacks in Fangak
November 26, 2014 (KAMPALA) – South Sudanese rebels in Jonglei state’s Fangak county have accused pro-government forces of launching a fresh attack despite a consultative conference taking place this week involving the country’s warring parties.
Colonel Gatdor Tut Luony, a member of the SPLM in Opposition rebel faction, accused Juba of violating the ceasefire deal, which calls on both parties to refrain from any aggression as mediators push for a political settlement in ongoing talks.
“This is a clear violation of cessation of hostilities agreement. It shows that Juba is not ready for peace and this explains the reason why [president] Salva Kiir and his group have been very inconsistent in anything they utter about peace in South Sudan,” Luony told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday by satellite phone from Phom area.
He said attempts by pro-government forces to attack Fangak were aimed at disrupting consultations.
The latest conference if focused on briefing the parties on a power-sharing proposal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is mediating peace talks.
According to Luony, government forces under the command of Brig. Gen. John Maluit Wich were responsible for launching fresh attacks inside revel-controlled territory.
He says fighting had broken out in and around the Diel and Pachot areas, with the intention of overrunning the rebel headquarters of Fangak county.
Luony said rebel fighters had repulsed the pro-government forces, killing at least 30 soldiers.
A South Sudanese political analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity told Sudan Tribune the Juba-based government had no interest in peace talks and continued to favour a military option.
“Juba believes in military solution to the conflicts,” he said.
“Their morale is boosted by [the] presence of [the] Uganda [People’s] Defence Forces (UPDF) and other Sudanese rebel groups to continue with an intention to destroy South Sudan at any rate as long it keeps them in power against the interests of South Sudanese people,” he added.
The South Sudanese government is unhappy with the conference, which is being conducted by the SPLM in Opposition in Fangak area, in order to brief military commanders on the progress of ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa.
Earlier this week, the United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) asked president Kiir to give the green light for flights to land in areas under rebel control to allow rebels commanders to travel to Fangak for the talks, but Kiir has refused the request.
IGAD had earlier asked UNMISS provide logistical support to help facilitate the conference.
(ST)