Armed opposition dismiss links to Lol state attack
June 18, 2016 (JUBA) – An officials from South Sudan’s armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) has dismissed as “unhealthy” claims that its forces were part of the gunmen that overrun the Lol state capital, Raja this Wednesday.
Chuol said the clashes were outcomes of the existing internal differences over 28 new states and as such had nothing to do with the SPLA-IO forces in Bhar-El-Gazal state.
“It is not true that our forces were part of the attacks. I want to make this clear again and again that we had no links in the incident. It is the issue of 28 states, after the locals disagreed over it,” said the armed opposition official.
“Those who finger-pointed that the SPLM-IO are behind the cause of the incident should not blame on us,” he added.
Dozens of people were killed and several others wounded when the unknown attackers stormed Raja town, forcing residents and state officials to flee the area for safety.
Chuol said the Lol state governor should stick to realities and tell the population the motives behind the gruesome attack.
“If the police and prison services within the so called Lol state are part of attack, why should you [Rizik] blame us on this matter, meanwhile it is very clear that the attackers were merely residents,” the official told Sudan Tribune.
The spokesperson for the South Sudanese government army (SPLA) Brigadier General, Lul Ruai Koang claimed the SPLA-IO top leadership had agreed to fight alongside the “bandits,” allegations Sudan Tribune could not easily ascertain.
Chuol said armed opposition faction could not take part in such an attack, being part of new coalition government.
SPLM-IO is for peace and calls on President Salva Kiir’s cohorts to respect the term and conditions of the agreement, he said.
(ST)