SPLA-IO accuses government forces of continued ceasefire violations

November 7, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese armed opposition (SPLA-IO) said government forces have attacked their bases in Western Equatoria state despite the ceasefire deal and preparations for the full implementation of the peace agreement signed by the warring parties in August.

“Government forces stationed in Western Equatoria State have carried out a surprise attack on our forces in Mundri town at 6pm on Friday, November 6, 2015. This is after another unit of the Government’s forces attacked our base at Jambo area at 5pm on the same day,” said James Gatdet Dak, opposition leader’s spokesman, in a statement he issued from Pagak general headquarters on Saturday.

He said government forces entered the opposition held town on Friday evening and had still maintained their presence in violation of the peace agreement, adding more government forces were deploying to Mundri to reinforce their troops in the area.

“The forces loyal to the regime have also deployed to Mundri from the national capital, Juba, on Saturday, November 7, 2015, in order to reinforce their forces which have entered Mundri town since Friday evening,” he said.

SPLM/SPLA, he said, condemned in the “strongest terms” this latest violation of the ceasefire by the government.

He added it was unfortunate that while the SPLM/SPLA was preparing to send advance team to Juba in the implementation of the peace agreement, government forces had instead resorted to violating the “very agreement.”

He said the leadership called on the government to stop the violations as well as for the international community to put pressure on the government to respect the ceasefire and give peace a chance.

(ST)