SPLA-IO accuses government troops of fresh attacks in Upper Nile state
October 12, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese armed opposition faction (SPLA-IO) has accused president Salva Kiir’s government of carrying out yet another fresh attack on their moving convoy in the oil-rich Upper Nile state.
He claimed that government forces moved out from Maban town and attacked their troops as they were relocating to another base under the control of the opposition fighters.
“The government convoy came and found the mission was on heading northward from there [Maban], they began to shell randomly at the villages around Kewenyji and Lengeji payams where they killed [a] number [of] civilians and burned down their houses. After a fierce battle with SPLA-IO, they have been repulsed toward Maban,” Col. Deng said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday.
He said their forces, which were moving to their other base in the area, continued with their journey after repulsing the government forces.
Deng further accused the government of allegedly not interested in the peace agreement and had therefore been working to violate it.
The opposition’s military spokesman however said their leadership was committed to the full implementation of the peace deal, but added that their forces had the right to self-defence whenever provoked by the government.
He called on the IGAD mediation to establish the body that should be monitoring and verifying such violations, as well as recommend action against such violators.
The two parties are yet to agree on security arrangements per the peace deal, which will determine cantonment of the rival forces and demilitarization of the national capital, Juba, including other state capitals and major towns in accordance with the peace deal which both sides signed in August to end the 21-month long civil war in the country.
(ST)