Opposition’s military spokesman lashes out at SPLA spokesperson
March 28, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Military spokesperson of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, has lashed out at his counter-part in government, accusing him of allegedly spreading “lies.”
He said movement of opposition forces of about 3,000 soldiers were intercepted in Maban county, moving with 10 tanks and other heavy weapons, and that they were also being accompanied by soldiers of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
Colonel Deng also dismissed the allegation by the spokesperson of the SPLA-N of Sudanese rebels, Lodi, who said South Sudanese militia groups had participated in recent battles in Abu Jubaiha and El-Leri, backing the Sudanese army.
Lodi added that the commander of the force that attacked El Ehemer (north to Buram) was from Shilluk ethnic group in South Sudan.
“In response to the false allegations made by Lodi, the SPLA-N spokesperson claiming that “militias opposed to the South Sudanese government have participated in Sunday’s battles in Abu Jubaiha and El-Leri and other areas in Sudan”. He even further went on claiming that the commander of force that attacked El Ehemer (north to Buram) was a Shilluk from South Sudan. This makes no sense, and it does not fit. Since it does not fit, such red liars have No uses on the media. As such claim that the IO is fighting alongside with Khartoum regime is not true, we have no business with the SPLM-N though as they did to us some times ago,” Colonel Deng of SPLA-IO said in the statement.
“In respect to the statements made by spokesperson of Juba on Thursday, that “Khartoum is preparing a regime change, and coordinate its plans with Riek Machar.” Which begs the following Question, what are proves to support such allegations?” he inquired.
The SPLA-IO military spokesman denied the allegations saying they had neither business with Sudan nor with the SPLA-N, accusing government’s military spokesman of “spreading lies.”
“The system in Juba will one day regret and blame itself for the mistake made to bring the wrong person to the right place at the right time. Brigadier Lul Ruai, who is well known for spreading lies, mismanagement, maladministration, and corruption, should not fit to hold this position at this crucial time, when the country is embracing back to peace,” Colonel Deng said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Monday.
“People like Lul who always deviate from the interests of the public should not be given a high position, but this happens only in South Sudan where there are no principles of accountabilities,” he said.
He said SPLA-IO has got no “business with Sudan government and the claimed reports are unfounded.”
The opposition faction’s military spokesperson further said that General Chuol Gakah, who was alleged by the government to have commanded the 3,000 force of SPLA-IO, is no longer an officer in the opposition forces, adding that this proved the allegation was unfounded.
General Gakah is one of the senior officers who defected from the SPLM-IO led by First Vice President designate, Riek Machar.
“The claimed report of 3,000 SPLA-IO forces, which he said are moving along the border area of Maban county with heavy weapons including “10 tanks, 4 D-30s and 3 BM multi-rocket launchers are baseless and unfounded. General Chuol Gakaha is not longer under command of SPLA-IO. This further proven beyond reasonable doubts that, Juba spokesperson doesn’t know what he is talking about,” he said.
“He [Lul], who exposed the unjust activities of Juba regime when he was on the side of SPLM/A-IO, should be shamed on himself by taking up the top job in the same government he had claimed to be dissatisfied with.”
He said the SPLM-IO is committed to the peace agreement and would not violate it.
(ST)