Ayod county: SPLM-IO officials dismisses claims of thousands in need of food
March 19, 2016 (AYOD) –Members of South Sudan’s armed opposition officials allied to the designated first vice president, Riek Machar have dismissed government claims that upto 300,000 people had returned to Ayod town and were urgently in need of food.
The official therefore urged aid agencies to quickly intervene into the matter.
But Stephen Bipal, a resident of Ayod, denied reports of huge numbers of civilians.
Civilians in Ayod town vacated the area after government forces took control of it in 2015.
“I have to tell you there is no one on the ground, nevertheless this is a white lie and how come civilians go to military barrack because Palith is a military barrack but no single person went there since after the fight broke out there,” he said.
Bipal said Ayod town was left without anybody and that pro-government forces allegedly targeted civilians as they launched offensives against the armed opposition faction.
According to Bipal, the creation of 28 states by President Salva Kiir did not go down well with the population who opted to flee their homes, which were under government control.
He claimed it was not right for government to demand support from aid agencies, yet they allegedly failed to address the plight of civilians they are mandated to protect.
Bapil also requested the World Food Programme and Catholic Relief Service who have been operating in the area to visit Ayod territory and assess the alleged false claims.
“We advice the WFP and CRS not to give food to soldiers who have gathered themselves inside Ayod town under the pretext that they are civilians,”,said Bipal.
Kuol Ngundeng, a member of SPLM-IO in the area, condemned the rape of five women in Tem village allegedly by government soldiers in an area 6km away from Ayod town.
“This is very clear violation of peace agreement signed in August by two warring parties and appeals to the International Community to take action against perpetrators. If South Sudan government is genuine why it’s breach the seas fire for moving out from their position and raped women,” he said.
Lam Tut Deng, an elder from areas surrounding Ayod villages, claimed he could not agree with the approach government was using to persuade civilians to return.
He urged both sides to end fighting and engage in implementation of the peace accord.
(ST)