S. Sudanese rebels accuse army of killings in Leer county

November 12, 2015 (KAMPALA) -The armed opposition faction allied to the designated South Sudan’s first vice president has accused the army of allegedly killing 20 people, including women, children and a local chief in fresh attacks within Leer county in Unity state.

Yoach Biding, an opposition spokesperson in Leer county told Sudan Tribune Thursday that more fighting was still continuing around the various suburbs of Leer county.

He accussed government of failing to respect the terms of peace agreement signed in August and that these attacks showed their lack of commitment to end war.

“You know within government there are those working against peace implementation, and few of them support it [and] that is why you hear attacks on our position,” said Yoach, who described the continuous attacks as war crimes.

Benson Mayen, a Unity state official, dismissed the armed opposition’s claims in a separate interview with Sudan Tribune, reiterating government’s commitment to peace.

He claimed the opposition were spreading propaganda to turnish the image of the state.

The two South Sudanese warring parties to the conflicts signed several ceasefire agreements, yet both continued to blame one another for violating these agreements.

Tens of thousands have been displaced by the conflict with majority of the population seeking refugee into neighbouring Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and North Sudan for safety.

(ST).