SPLM-IO claims destroying convoy of government barges: spokesperson

September 1, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The newly appointed spokesperson for the military wing of the armed opposition faction led by former vice president, Riek Machar, claimed their forces have destroyed one military barge and five gunboats which have been attacking their bases along the River Nile in Unity and Jonglei states as the government troops were moving towards Malakal, capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile state.

“To our dismay, in the course of restoring peace and stability, our forces came under attacks at several locations in Jonglei by forces that could not have acted alone if [President Sava Kiir] Mayardit sincerely consented to bringing peace to South Sudan in collaboration with SPLM/A-IO. Government convoy which comprise of barges and gunboats attacked our forces at Wathkech, Nyiew and Tonga county yesterday [Monday] evening and the fierce battle ended at 5am this morning [Tuesday],” said rebels military spokesperson, Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.

He said the opposition forces fought back in self-defense and in those battles destroyed one government’s big barge and five gunboats carrying troops and heavy weapons, all burnt and sunk in the River Nile.
He also claimed that they captured in good condition another big barge loaded with heavy weapons.

“The other barge was captured in good condition with all military hardware after the protection unit which guarded it surrendered themselves. Our mighty forces captured the following from the government. One tank, two Zuu 23 and six 12.7 machines guns as well as different motor shields,” he said.

Colonel Deng further explained that only one barge and two gunboats survived the Tuesday fierce battles on the Nile and the government’s remnant forces retreated back towards Unity state and to Juba from where they launched the military convoy.

The retreating barge and two gunboats will also be moving in reverse through rebels controlled territories in Unity state, fearing further clashes before they could reach Bor in Jonglei state.

South Sudanese rebels earlier accused the government of launching these three military barges and seven gunboats which they said were moving aggressively through territories controlled by the rebels along the River Nile, shelling the rebels bases as they moved northwards towards Malakal.

But the rebel spokesman said the river offensive had now been neutralized as most of the boats have been destroyed and sunk in the river with the forces and weapons they carried.

Government military’s spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, on Monday confirmed that their forces with barges were moving from Juba to Malakal through rebels controlled territories along the Nile even before the peace agreement was signed on 26 August to resupply government forces in the oil-rich Upper Nile state and warned to fight back in self-defence should the rebels attack them on the way.

Last month, government announced closure of river transportation between Juba and Malakal, saying rebels had been attacking boats. It was not clear if the military convoy was attempting to forcefully open the Nile corridor.

Rebels claimed they were provoked when the government forces attacked Tayar Port and Adok Port which they control in Unity state, sparking their response to fight back, saying the “divided’ government was trying to derail the implementation of the peace agreement.

“We should not be distracted by our political stand in regard to Compromise Peace Agreement since we all know that Juba is bent to dishonour it using unnecessary excuses,” Deng said.

He said the opposition forces had remained calm in full implementation of the ceasefire but will fight back if attacked.

The rebels called on IGAD Plus and the international community at large to monitor and verify the ceasefire violations and to urge the government to respect the peace deal.

(ST)