Western Equatoria downplays outbreak of fresh rebellion
February 3, 2015 (JUBA) – The government of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state said it would not tolerate its territory being used as a launching pad for any military activities aimed at destabilising the region.
Thomas has downplayed the significance of a new rebellion in the area, saying the security situation in the area remains under the full control of government forces.
“I think it is better not to call it a rebellion at this stage because as until now things are not yet clear, and as authorities we cannot begin to talk about it in the media, because these things are to do with security of the country,” he said.
The commissioner deferred questions concerning the rebellion to police and military spokespeople when asked about reports some government soldiers had pulled out of their units and whether the new group had established a base in the area.
It’s not the first time the county has come under attack since Thomas took office.
In December last year, unknown gunmen ambushed travelers on the Yei-Rumbek road, which branches to Maridi and Yambio.
According to Thomas, two travellers were detained last month after being forced to stop along the road and then taken into the forest, where it is alleged they were brutally tortured for two days while being questioned about their ethnic affiliation.
“We later had to mobilise the youth and the security forces to hunt for them (the travelers) and when the returned following the search, they came back and reported the killing of one person,” Thomas told Sudan Tribune, adding that the incident had caused widespread fear among villagers, with many choosing to relocate temporarily.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued on Monday, a copy of which was extended to Sudan Tribune, the community of greater Maridi denied any association with the rebel group and threatened to take action if they failed to disband.
“We the sons and daughters of Maridi county issue this statement in reaction to the statement by Mr Joseph Lasuba Wongo and all his accomplices who claimed credit and responsibilities for [a] criminal act [in] which two innocent civilians of Maridi county were killed on the 27 January 2015,” the statement reads in part.
The Maridi community condemned the attack, saying they are peace loving and law-abiding people.
“We consider such an attack as an act of barbarism and we are ready to see to it that Mr Lasuba and his accomplices pay dearly for such actions. We are ready to take Mr Lasuba and his accomplices head on,” the statement said.
The community has vowed to hunt down the perpetrators and hold them accountable for their actions, stressing that it would no longer tolerate violence or threats.
“We therefore condemn any act of violence against any son and daughter of Maridi and their properties. An attack on one is an attack on all,” the statement said.
(ST)