S. Sudanese rebels accuse SPLA of lootings in Unity state
June 22, 2015 (BENTIU) – South Sudanese rebels have accused pro-government forces of allegedly pursuing civilians in Unity state’s Guit and Rubkotna counties, looting over 4,000 herds of cattle.
“All kinds of properties were impounded,” Yaka told Sudan Tribune by phone Monday.
“Our intelligence on the ground has been tracking movement of cows, taken from civilians by pro government to the state capital Bentiu. Most of these cows are assembled in Bentiu town,” added the former county commissioner.
He claimed forces loyal to the Juba regime attacked civilians in Touch-Kiir on Sunday and allegedly took away up to 2,000 herds of cattle from their respective owners.
“The government is now targeting innocent civilians taking away their belongings which has been a source of basic survival in this particular time,” said Yaka.
The former Guit county commissioner also accused pro-government for allegedly raping women and girls below 18 years, claims Sudan Tribune could not easily ascertain.
“What are taking place currently in the deep villages are crimes against humanity, committed by government forces as they continued to attack civilians. They killed children and raped under age girls and used them as sex slaves,” he added.
He further blamed the army for civilians’ woes, alleging that those who tried to seek assistance at the United Nation protection sites were blocked on their way to Bentiu.
“All the big bulls were airlifted from Rubkotna airstrip to Juba,” Yaka said, adding, “Airlifting of civilians properties was witnessed by many people including the United Nation Mission in South Sudan who are on a peacekeeping mission on the ground.
However, the Mayom county commissioner, John Bol Mayak has denied claims by the armed opposition rebels, which he described as very misleading misinformation.
“These claims are simply unfounded statements. These are only misinformation by the rebels. They are just tarnishing the image of national army,” Mayak told Sudan Tribune.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced since violence broke out in the South Sudanese capital, Juba in mid-December 2013.
(ST)