N. Bahr el Ghazal calm, S. Sudan presidency assures citizens
May 29, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s presidency has downplayed reports of insecurity in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, dismissing claims of rebel presence in the region.
But the presidency, in a statement issued Friday, said the rebels’ claim aimed at misleading citizens and the international community
“We want to inform our citizens and to whom it may concerns that Northern Bahr El Ghazal State did not concede any territory to the rebels, nor did it experience any serious fight with the rebels,” it said.
“What has transpired, however, was the column of rebels’ intelligent reconnaissance moving to explore targets in NBGS [Northern Bahr el Ghazal state], but it felt into government ambush and two of the rebel officers were taken captive,” added the release.
According to the presidency, the prisoners of war taken by the government forces from the rebel forces of Gen. Atorjong were 2nd Lt. Mou Garang Diing and Sgt. Major Kerbino Bol Marik Ken and they the duo were now in the Division 3 Infantry headquarters’ custody.
“The Division 3 Commander’s Major General Santino Deng Wol is now arranging with the Chief of General Staff to bring the two captives to the SPLA General Headquarters for further investigation,” stressed the statement issued by the country’s presidency.
It further said the rebels who escaped capture were currently on the run, but they are being pursued by the national army attached to Division 3.
“We therefore would like to appeal to our citizens in NBGS to remain calm and focused while the SPLA forces are doing their national duty. Rumors of the utopian rebel advances must be discarded, if rebels are to be deprived of the ability to manufacture lies,” it noted.
(ST)