South Sudan’s opposition faction accuses government of targeting civilians
February 19, 2016 (JUBA) – A senior official of the South Sudan’s armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), has accused troops loyal to President Salva Kiir’ government of “inflicting maximum sufferings on the civilians” in various parts of the country in violation of the peace agreement signed five months ago.
“It is clear that the government forces are bent on inflicting maximum sufferings on the civilian populations in Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal,” Odwar told journalists in a press conference conducted by the SPLM-IO officials in Juba on Thursday.
Odwar, who rebelled from the government and joined the SPLM-IO after he was relieved from parliamentary seat in the national legislative assembly in 2014, currently serves as the chairman of national committee for energy and mining in the opposition faction.
He accused the government of continuing to attack locations of their forces in Wau, Maridi, Mundri, Mvolo, Ezo, Yambio, Wondurba, Lobonok, Northern Bari, Mwagi and Ikotos – counties located in Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria regions.
The opposition’s advance team has been in Juba since 21 December, 2015, to try to finalize the demilitarization of Juba and deployment of their joint forces in the capital ahead of arrival of their leader, Machar.
President Salva Kiir appointed his former deputy Machar as first vice president last week. But the opposition leader said he will not return to Juba before the excess government forces are evacuated. Machar also wants his bodyguards of about 3,000 troops to be transported and stationed in Juba.
Odwar said the permanent ceasefire declared in August last year should have halted any further attacks on their locations nationwide.
“We request the government of South Sudan to stop its troops from inflicting unnecessary sufferings on a section of its people,” the press statement seen by Sudan Tribune reads in part.
“We want peace to prevail in South Sudan. We affirm our commitment to the agreement,” Odwar added.
The SPLM-IO further said peace guarantors from the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Union (AU), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and Troika countries of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Norway are informed about the continued violation of the ceasefire by the government.
The opposition forces are expected to take at least four weeks before their arrival in Juba and to form a transitional government of national unity.
(ST)