South Sudanese rebels accuse government of preparing new offensive
January 29, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese rebel group led by former vice president, Riek Machar, has warned of imminent multi-front attacks by troops loyal to president Salva Kiir, calling on international and regional players to reign in the government.
A military spokesman of the rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA-IO), Lul Ruai Koang, issued a statement on Thursday ringing an alarm bell about the impending military offensive.
He said troops loyal to president Kiir have been planning a massive attack into the rebel controlled areas in Jonglei state.
“Kiir’s tribal army has completed amassing troops, assembling equipment and battle tanks in Gadiang and Poktap with immediate intention of launching coordinated attacks on Greater Lou-Nuer counties in multi-fronts,” Koang said in the press statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
He claimed that a high command of the government’s troops held meetings in Gadiang and Poktap areas controlled by the government and adjacent to rebel held areas in Jongeli state in which they finalised their operational plans.
The plan, he further said, revealed that attacks will be launched on three axis of Ayod-Pathai, Poktap-Pajut and Gadiang-Pamai and Wei-Kol under the command of top military officers.
“The looming offensives on Lou-Nuer is led by Lt. Gen. Malual Ayom Dor, Deputy Chief of General Staff for Administration deputised by Maj. Gen. Malual Majok, Commander of Mechanised Division,” he stated.
The rebel spokesman however said their forces were on high alert to resist the attacks, warning of further escalations of the fighting.
“Any attempts aiming at invading our areas will meet strong resistance that might trigger a chain of catastrophic events with disastrous outcomes. There is possibility that Lou-Nuer land would be the largest mass grave for SPLA soldiers that will accept to go on this suicidal mission,” he said.
Koang also called on the international community to reign in president Kiir’s attempt to renew the violence before it is too late.
“The military leadership of SPLA calls upon IGAD mediation team, Tanzanian President, AU, Troika, international community and the friends of South Sudan to put enough pressure on Salva Kiir so that he orders his troops to halt these imminent attacks before armed confrontations reach uncontrollable, stoppable and unmanageable levels,” he said.
The rebels were however accused by the government of launching attacks last week in the oil-rich Unity state which resulted to the capture of some oil fields by the rebels.
The latest fear of renewed violence comes as IGAD pushes the principals of the two warring parties in Addis Ababa to reach a political settlement to the ongoing conflict.
(ST)