South Sudan rival forces claim control of Doleib hill area in Upper Nile state

June 27, 2015 (JUBA) – Rival South Sudanese forces have traded accusations over violation of cessation of hostilities agreement between forces loyal to president Salva Kiir and those loyal to former vice president, Riek Machar. Both sides also claimed control of strategic Doleib hill, a military outpost located 16km south of Malakal town, capital of oil-rich Upper Nile state.

Upper Nile state information minister told Sudan Tribune on Friday that government troops have repulsed attack on the area by the opposition fighters.

“Doleib has never fallen to the control of the rebels. What happened on Monday was that the rebels shelled the position of our forces from the other side of the Nile River but they did not cross to Doleib. It is fully under the control of our forces,” claimed state information minister Peter Hoth Tuach.

“The rebels have never come near it,” he said.

Meanwhile the military spokesperson of the government forces Colonel Philip Aguer said security situation in the country, including the three states of Upper Nile region was under control despite attempts by opposition fighters on positions held by the government troops in different places in the country.

“Generally, the security situation in the country at the moment is under control. The rebels of Riek Machar attacked the position of our forces in Doleib hill by shelling across the river but that attack was contained and the situation there is under control and their activities are being monitored,” Aguer said.

The officials were reacting to reports that armed opposition fighters have taken control of Doleib hill in response to attack allegedly carried out by government forces on areas under their control.

The opposition fighters were Monday forced to fight in self-defence after the government forces in the area launched an attack on the position held by their forces, said James Gatdet Dak, spokesperson of the opposition leader, Riek Machar.

Dak accused the government forces of violating the cessation of hostilities deal signed on 23 January last year.

It remained unclear who of the rival fighters was in control since Monday and why it took the government several days to deny the claim by rebels that they captured Doleib since Monday.

Sudan Tribune was unable to independently verify which of the factional forces was in control of the area.

(ST)