South Sudan army accuses opposition forces of renewed attacks

March 30, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese army (SPLA) has accused the armed opposition faction of SPLA-IO of allegedly attacking their forces on Mayendit-Leer road on Wednesday.

The accusation came a day after the SPLA-IO on Tuesday said its forces were warned by the government forces in Leer and Mayendit counties to expect attacks on some of their areas such as Thornyor in Leer and Daplual in Mayendit in Unity state.

“In the last two days, Riek Machar’s militias have been causing insecurity on Mayendit-Leer road; On 28/3/2016, at about 4:00PM, an SPLA administrative convoy comprising of three Toyota Land-cruiser Pick-ups and a 4th vehicle belonging to the Commissioner of Leer County were ambushed between Mirmir and Rupkuai villages,” SPLA spokesperson, Brigadier Lul Ruai Koang, said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

He said one civilian was killed in the ambush, a commissioner’s vehicle was burned and another vehicle taken away by the attackers.

The government’s army spokesman blamed the opposition forces for the attack, saying it was a violation of ceasefire agreement as well as an hindrance to freedom of movement, which he added, resulted to “destruction of government’s movable asset.”

“This act once again is a prove that [SPLM] IO fighters are nothing more than high way robbers,” he wrote in the statement.

He called upon IGAD’s monitoring mechanism to hold the opposition forces responsible for the latest violation.

SPLA-IO officials where not reachable for comment on the accusation.

(ST)