Rebels give Lakes state residents 72 hours to vacate

May 28, 2015 (NYAL) – South Sudanese armed opposition forces under the command of Gen. Khamis Abdulatiff have advised residents in the capital, Rumbek to vacate the town within three days.

In a statement extended to various media outlets Tuesday, the rebels said their fighters had occupied Lakes state and its surrounding areas, claims Sudan Tribune could not independently verify.

“We have siege the town and all its exits, but we are not ready to harm civilians in Rumbek town,” said Gen. Abdulatiff, adding that, “We asked for immediate evacuation of civilians to safer places.”

He said his forces recently exchanged fire with government forces at the border between Lakes and Unity state.

“I do not want innocent civilians to become victims of the crossfire. The mission of my force is to free the people of South Sudan from oppressive regime especially those from Lakes state whose historical background was buried by the current regime,” he said.

Last year, Lakes state’s Dinka youth declined to join the military forces recruited to fight against rebels led by former vice-president Riek Machar, who are mainly from the Nuer ethnic group, leading to increased tensions within the government in Juba.

Fighting between South Sudanese government troops and the armed opposition forces has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million in the country.

In April, a group of activists and civil society groups in Rumbek added their voices to calls for removal of governor Matur Dhuol claiming he had failed to effectively run the state.

(ST)