Arrow Boys say they occupy several areas in Western Equatoria state

December 14, 2015 (YAMBIO) – A group of armed youth in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, known as the ‘Arrow Boys’, said their forces have been occupying several locations in the state, warning the government not to provoke them into further clashes.

The group which formed itself from the membership of the local youth and had been against president Salva Kiir’s government in protest of migrating pastoralist communities, particularly the Dinka community, which they accused of allegedly having been encroaching into their farmlands, said they have now joined the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former vice-president, Riek Machar.

The armed youth who are led by former information minister in the state, Charles Kisanga, and commanded by Brigadier General Alfred Futiyo, informed about the areas or counties their forces are present in and cautioned the government not to attack them or face retaliation.

“Our forces are present in Mvolo, Maridi, Bangasu, Bazu, Ngua, Mapkara, Rangu, Nzara, Ringas, Nagasi, Nandi, Ezo, Sar Isyubu, Tombura, Nagero and Mundri,” partly reads a statement forwarded to Sudan Tribune on Monday by their military command.

They claimed that as part and parcel of the SPLA-IO per their recent declaration to join the opposition faction under the leadership of Machar, they would respect the peace agreement he signed with president Kiir, but reserve the right to self-defence if provoked by the government’s forces in the area.

The group denied what they said were allegations from president Kiir’s government that an agreement was reached between the Arrow Boys and the government.

They however explained that they have been respecting the peace agreement signed in August, refuting allegations that their forces had been attacking government’s positions in the state.

The statement further revealed that a delegation from the Arrow Boys last week met with church leaders in the state and discussed the importance of keeping peace in the area.

According to the statement from the group, they claimed to have a force of 17,000 in membership and exercise influence over the majority populations in the state.

(ST)