S. Sudan rebels dispute claims its members captured in Unity state
March 30, 2015 (BENTIU) – South Sudanese rebels led by former vice-president Riek Machar have dismissed claims some of their fighters were captured by pro-government forces in the last week’s battle, south of oil-rich Unity state capital Bentiu.
However, Major Weirial Puok Baluang, press secretary for the rival rebel military governor in the area had refuted the claim describing it as war propaganda from the state authorities.
“These are war propaganda by Salva Kiir groups, it is not true. What we know our forces have repulsed them when they tried to advance south of the state capital,” he said.
He accused pro-government forces of a series violations in Unity state when they attempted to advance towards their many positions with an intention to regain territories during the dry season while the government has upper hand in mobility.
According to Baluang, foreign troops and rebels or “mercenaries” allied to president Kiir have also involved in the latest clashes, further claiming that the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) had also recruited other foreign nationals into its forces deployed in South Sudan.
“You know it has been a project for those foreigners’ allies from Salva Kiir, to take advantage to continue attacking our position in various frontlines. It is through fighting us so they can get paid,” he said.
He said a Somali national was captured from last week’s fighting in the oil fields, north of Bentiu, adding the captive revealed to have been fighting alongside president Kiir’s government on behalf of the UPDF.
Rebels have also been claiming that UPDF put on uniform mercenaries from Rwanda and some of its forces have put on South Sudanese military uniform in disguise in order to participate in the combats in northern Upper Nile and Unity states.
The Sudanese government has warned the UPDF not to extend its forces to Upper Nile region close to the border.
Last week it was reported that Ugandan minister of defence visited the South Sudanese capital, Juba, and acquainted himself with the training camps in South Sudan’s Jonglei and Central Equatoria states.
He told reporters upon arrival in Juba that South Sudan government was catering for UPDF’s fuel expenses since last year, but declined to confirm that salaries of the foreign forces were being paid for by the South Sudanese government.
Sources alleged that a soldier in the UPDF troops deployed in South Sudan is paid $100 dollars a day as an allowance, while there are thousands of the neighbouring country’s troops in the country.
Rebels had several times called for withdrawal of the foreign forces from South Sudan soil, but Juba government refused the demand saying it had right to keep the foreign allies so long the constitution has mandated them to seek any help from friendly countries.
(ST)