S. Sudan rival forces trade accusations of military offensives

April 18, 2015 (JUBA) – The rival factions in the South Sudanese conflict have traded statements accusing each other of preparing to launch major military offensives.

The spokesperson for pro-government forces, Col. Philip Aguer said its general headquarters had reports indicating that rebel forces in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states were preparing for major offensives on government-held positions.

“Our forces are closely monitoring activities of rebels in the states of Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei. They are ready for an attempt on their positions. Of course they will not initiate any attack on their [rebel] positions because we abide by the cessation of hostility agreement, but our forces have the right to protect themselves from attacks and fight back in self-defense”, Aguer told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

Last week, the Unity state government said it would relocate the seat of the government-held town of Bentiu, which has been the epicenter of recent battles between the country’s two warring factions to Mankien payam in Mayom county.

The government attributed this move to deteriorating security situation in Bentiu town.

Local officials and military sources told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that the town has for the past weeks witnessed intense shelling that destroyed the power supply. Armed opposition fighters have reportedly made advances, coming closure and setting up a camp about 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the west, as they sought to capture the town.

The rebel deputy spokesperson and press assistant, Dickson Gatluak has, however, pushed the blame on the government troops as having a plan to launch major offensive on the position held by their forces around Bentiu and other places.

“This is to inform the entire public in South Sudan and the world at large that government in Juba is trying to use the Unity state capital Bentiu as its strategic area for military offensive against our forces . The government is going to use the center to launch attacks on our positions around the capital”, he separately said.

“This came after the care taker governor Joseph Nguen Monytuel order the relocation of Bentiu town to Mankien payam, south west of Mayom County so that the capital Bentiu would remain purposely for military actvities.Currently, the town is left for military operation since all government staff evacuated to Mankien,” added Gatluak.

Both warring parties have repeatedly accused each other of launching military offensives, despite several ceasefire agreements they committed themselves to in the past.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced in the country’s worst-ever violence since it seceded from neighbouring Sudan in July 2011.

(ST)