SPLM-IO accuses government of attacks in Unity state
October 15, 2015 (BENTIU) – South Sudanese armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) has accused the government of launching attacks on their bases in the oil rich Unity state on Thursday, claiming that the state’s caretaker governor Joseph Monytuil is against the peace agreement signed in August between president Salva Kiir and opposition leader, Riek Machar.
“The group under Monytuil sons in Unity State, who called themselves government but never does any of the government activities like the rest of the world, have today advanced and attacked our defensive barracks at Tuarkiel area south west of Bentiu town,” he said.
He said the armed opposition however repulsed the attack after they penetrated into Wangjuot, Ruoh, Biew and Chotjaak villages in Ngop Payam, claiming that government forces burned and looted properties belonging to civilians in those areas.
“The so called Salva Kiir’s sycophants in the name of government under Joseph Nguen looted around 350 head of cattle belonging to ChiengLokjaak subclan of Leek-Nuer between 9-13 Septembers,” he said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.
Baluang further claimed that most of the cows raided from civilians in Unity state between January and October this year were taken to neighbouring Warrap state, home to president Kiir, by SPLA and civilians fighting alongside the government.
He condemned what he described as “criminal acts” by the government and called on the international human rights bodies to expose the human rights abuses.
The opposition faction also called on IGAD mediation and its international partners to exert more pressure on the administration of president Kiir so as to work for the implementation of the signed peace deal.
(ST)