South Sudan’s SPLA-IO accuses government of attacking its positions

November 3, 2015 (PAGAK) – Opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) has accused government forces of launching fresh attacks against their bases in Upper Nile state despite the signing of the security arrangements on Tuesday..

Media official of the opposition group led by former vice president and first vice president designate, Riek Machar, said their bases have come under separate attacks by troops loyal to president Salva Kiir in violation of the peace agreement.

“Our bases have been attacked by government forces for the last two days. This aggression by the regime in Juba is a violation of the peace agreement, particularly the ceasefire,” opposition leader’s spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, said in a statement he issued on Tuesday.

He said for the past two days, government forces have been attacking a number of opposition held territories including Obel and Doleib.

“They have been shelling Canal and Khorfulus. Their aim is to try to close both the Sobat river and White Nile in an attempt to capture our bases,” he said.

He accused the government of continuing with the offensive despite the signing of the security arrangements on Tuesday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

He called on IGAD mediation and the international community to put pressure on the government to stop fighting and respect the peace deal signed in August by leaders of the rival parties.

(ST)