South Sudan army denies presence of rebels around Juba
July 20,2015 (JUBA) – South Sudanese army dismissed as “unfounded” allegations reports claiming presence around national capital members of armed opposition fighters allied to the former vice president, Riek Machar.
“Yes, we have a presence around Juba. We have forces south and north of the capital. We are organizing a military base on Juba-Yei road,” rebel leader’s press secretary, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune .
Dak however said his office had not received report that the rebels were responsible for the Saturday attack which left 5 people dead and 7 others wounded on Juba-Kejokeji road.
“There is no presence of Riek Machar rebels in central Equatoria. What has been happening along Juba-Nimule and Juba-Yei roads are activities of bandits, spokesperson of South Sudanese army,” Colonel Philip Aguer told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
“They (rebels) just want to cause panic to the people and to create illusive and imaginary existence. And I want to assure our population that the rebels are not in anywhere in the whole of central Equatoria. These allegations are unfounded,” further said Aguer.
The military spokesperson added that the rebels are just spreading rumours as part of their propaganda machine and wondered “where their forces operate?”
The rebel spoksperson said their forces would be targeting the capital and other towns in Central Equatoria state including military installations and outposts in the area.
But, Central Equatoria state deputy governor Manase Lomole Waya also denied in a separate interview when asked to comment on the allegations. However, he was keen to lay the blame of the reported incidents on armed pastoralists.
“This is a question you can ask the army. I don’t know anything about these allegations. The army spokesperson or may be other officials from the security and defence can answer. What I know is that there have been incidents caused either by criminals or armed pastoralists”, said Waya without giving further comments on the issue.
Reports say the SPLM-IO deputy leader Alfred Lado Gore, was recruiting youth members from areas in south and south west of Juba town into rebellion.
Observers say clandestine recruitment with central Equatoria state into rebellion cannot be ruled out, given the wide spread dissatisfaction with the performance of the government under President Salva Kiir.
(ST)