Rebels accuse government of fresh attacks in Unity, Upper Nile states
January 3, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – Rebels military spokesman, Brig Gen Lul Ruai Koang, has accused government troops of violating the cessation of hostilities agreement, saying their defence positions came under attack in both Lich (Unity) and Sobat (Upper Nile) states.
“Fresh clashes have erupted this morning (3-1-2015) between our forces and occupying force in Nasir. Enemy fighters from Wei-Yer-Adiu northwest of Nasir town moved out of their defensive trenches, began to move in three separate columns, advanced and opened sustained small arms and artillery fires on our forces at Thuk, Hai-Pur Buob and Ketbek,” Koang said in a press release on Saturday.
He said fighting was still going on by the press time, condemning the “un-provoked and un-warranted attacks.”
Koang also claimed that in two separate incidents on Friday in Renk county, a group of pro-government “armed militias” opened fire on main market killing three civilians; two from South Sudan’s Shulluk ethnic group and one from ethnic groups from Nuba Mountains.
He also said that in Joda South in the area, some elements from South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) who were manning the main check point executed two Arab civilians who a day earlier had crossed over from Joda North on Sudan’s side of the border. He said the victims were reportedly attending a wedding ceremony in the area when they were murdered allegedly by the pro-government police.
“The military leadership of SPLA [IO] calls upon IGAD and other international institutions to conduct independent investigations the circumstances under which these civilians were murdered in cold blood as well as determines who the aggressor is in regard to latest violations of CoH and other agreements in Unity and Upper Nile States in the recent past,” he said.
“SPLA avails its good offices to those interested in carrying out independent investigations.”
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has also condemned the renewed violence and called on the two warring parties to restraint and refrain from further attacks.
Peace talks mediated by IGAD to try to reach to a political settlement have been adjourned until mid-January.
(ST)