SPLA-IO welcomes Arrow Boys to its fighting force
November 14, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese armed opposition fighters (SPLA-IO) led by former vice-president, Riek Machar, said they welcomed the declaration of the youth fighters in Western Equatoria state, known as the Arrow Boys, to join the opposition forces in the country.
“SPLM/SPLA welcomes the Arrow Boys in Western Equatoria state under the command of Alfred Karaba Futiyo, in their recent declaration to join the Movement,” said James Gatdet Dak, in a statement he issued on Saturday.
The commander of the arrow boys, Futiyo, also told Sudan Tribune that over 10,000 armed youth composing the arrow boys under his command from various communities in Western Equatoria state, have on Thursday declared joining the SPLA-IO.
Opposition leader’s spokesman, Dak, welcomed the decision of the defection by the arrow boys and blamed the government of President Salva Kiir for pushing the youth fighters into making the decision.
He said the government was not committed to peace and had been carrying out attacks against the SPLA-IO and other armed groups in the country.
Last week, clashes occurred between the South Sudanese army (SPLA) and the Arrow Boys in Tombora area, resulting to killing of Tombora commissioner by suspected elements from the government forces, when they were ambushed on their return from a peace mission in an attempt to reconcile the government forces and the armed youth fighters.
Dak also said government forces have continued to attack opposition’s bases in the oil rich Unity state.
(ST)