SPLA vows to end rebellion in Greater Upper Nile region
November 29, 2014 (BOR) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) on Saturday vowed to militarily end the ongoing rebellion in the country’s Greater Upper Nile region.
“Many areas of Ayod are still under rebel control, we will get them into our control. The whole of Akobo and Uror counties must come to our hands,” he said.
Frequent attacks from rebels, Manyang said, forced the SPLA out of their trenches in parts Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states to defend their positions.
Mainly fighting in self-defense, army reportedly repulsed the rebels and followed them to their strongholds, which resulted in to the capture of Canal, Khorfulus and Atar about three weeks ago.
“And in the last one week, our soldiers in Khorfulus, canal and Atar were attacked several times by the rebels. To end this, they decided to follow the rebels to their places and they captured Pam-Zaraf (headquarters of Fangak county). We don’t always need to attack other forces, but if we are forced to, we do it more,” said Manyang.
South Sudan government, he stressed, notified the African Union, United Nations mission and the East African region bloc (IGAD) about rebel attacks, but no steps were taken.
About 3,000 soldiers graduated at an event also witnessed by the army chief of general staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan, commander in charge of Jonglei operation, Gen. Malual Ayom, among others.
This was the second batch released since the crisis started and the 11th batch since the training facility was opened five years ago.
In the past, however, some SPLA soldiers have been accused of looting civilian properties, rape and even killing innocent people.
But Manyang, speaking tough on these allegations, warned the new recruits against such practices, urging them to fulfill their obligations.
“In civilian protection, you should not get anything of the civilians by force, whether money, cattle or other properties, you should not attempt to take anything by force. Civilians are your mothers, fathers, wives daughters and sons and other relatives,” he said.
“If you do something bad to a civilian of one community, your colleague who is also in the army will do the same thing in your community and in this way, no respect to the rules,” added the minister.
SPLA CAPABILITY
The defense minister said government has intensified military hardware, including modem weaponries, trucks for South Sudan to defend itself from any aggression and urged youth to join the army.
“You will not move on foot again. Why moving on foot? You have better weapon to weaken and defeat your enemy at a far distance. Look at some of them and more are yet to come,” said Manyang, while pointing at equipment stationed behind the training ground.
During the occasion, the army also displayed different types of Armored Personal carriers (APC) and most of them appeared new.
According to the defense minister, the SPLA has in place proper air, navy and infantry weapons to defend itself as well as the nation.
“We have tanks that move in the rivers, we will not have a threat coming across the rivers unengaged,” said Manyang.
He warned that youth who attempt to escape from the army would be punished while those who decline to join were merely women.
“If you refuse to join the army, let your hair be plated and we will buy a skirt. It means you will no longer be a man, but a typical woman,” he said.
Manyang also accused neighbouring Sudan of aiding the country’s rebels, an allegation Khartoum has repeatedly denied in the past.
NO SEPARATE ARMIES
Meanwhile, Manyang reiterated government’s rejection of the proposed formation of two separate armies in the transitional period.
“We are telling Riek Machar that we don’t need two separate armies in the same nation. If there is anybody wanting South Sudan to have two separate armies, this should stop,” said Manyang.
“If he [Machar] is returned to the army, we will take him at the same rank he rebelled with. If he doesn’t come by himself, we know how to bring him,” he added.
The minister advised the rebel leader to form a political partly and not an army, which he said would only remain under one command.
CALLS FOR UNITY
The chief of staff urged the new recruits to remain committed to the SPLA military rules of engagement, codes of conduct and hence protect people, their properties and lives from the enemy forces.
“This time, we must not forgive or compromise the enemy. That is the difference between Somalia rebels and South Sudan rebels. All of them kill civilians [and] we want to put this to an end,” said Malong.
He accused foreign hands of causing the current mess in the country.
“There are those who come from outside and say this [county] is not governed in a good way, we need good governance, there is no development in this, and those who had been saying [this] are not here now,” said Malong.
“Since South Sudan is for South Sudanese, it is we to be first and the last. This will give us time to review what is not going well and which one is right,” he added.
The army chief of staff, however, warned that soldiers who commit crimes against civilians would be tried in accordance with the law.
(ST)