South Sudan forces plan to launch military operations against SPLA-IO: official
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
March 5, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s armed opposition group, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), said the South Sudanese army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir, is preparing to carry out heavy military operations against opposition forces in Eastern Equatoria state.
Pierino, who also is also the chairman of the SPLM-IO Eastern Equatoria caucus, further said that the General Headquarters (Bilpam) of the government forces is aware and has been planning and coordinating the expected military operations in the area, east of the national capital, Juba.
“Brig. General Paul Omoya the operation commander in Eastern Equatoria and newly appointed Security Advisor to the Governor of controversial Imatong State in coordination with Maj. General Jildo Oling Baranya, the commanding officer, and Maj. General Johnson Juma has been coordinating efforts to unleash military operation in Eastern Equatorial,” he told Sudan Tribune.
“The three officers were summoned to the office of SPLA Chief ? of General Staff for orders,” he further alleged.
The SPLM-IO’s senior official said the SPLA’s deputy chief of general staffs for logistics directed acquisition of large quantity of ammunition and weapons.
He added that the deputy chief of general staffs for administration has also directed a deployment of up to a coy [military unit] of heavily armed strong force ?and their food for the government forces who are allegedly due to be dispatched for the operation in Eastern Equatoria.
“It is not clear where this operation will start,” Oyet said, adding “This act is likely going to provoke confusion in the state.”
Following the information, he said the SPLM-IO forces are being put on maximum alert. He said the government’s move to coordinate military operations against opposition forces is contrary to the peace agreement.
Pierino further went on to say that there are elements within the government establishment who are not supporting the peace process.
“I doubt whether our counterparts in government have controls over their forces. The numerous violations of hostilities and security arrangement is due to lack of control over the government forces who are poorly trained and not well fed with no salaries,” he added.
?The two SPLM warring factions signed a peace agreement in August 2015 to end a 21 months long bloody conflict which has killed tens of thousands and displaced an estimated two million.
However, both sides continue to engage in skirmishes in violation to terms of the peace deal brokered in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, by the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Despite the peace accord, implementation of the deal has become a major challenge for both parties, holding back the formation of a transitional government of national unity (TGoNU).
Currently, the parties are waiting for transportation to Juba of SPLA-IO advance force of 1,370 in order for the first vice president designate, Riek Machar, who leads SPLM-IO, to return to the national capital and trigger formation of the TGoNU.
(ST)