SPLA denies top leadership involvement in July violence outbreak

September 11, 2016 (WAU) – The spokesperson for the South Sudanese army (SPLA) Brig. Gen Lul Ruai Koang has dismissed as “nonsense” a United Nations report implicating President Salva Kiir and army chief General Paul Malong as being responsible for the July clashes that occurred in Juba.

But a report from the UN panel of experts accused government soldiers of allegedly raping and beating up aid workers in a well co-ordinated attack at a guest house in Juba. Aid workers were allegedly intimated at gun point.

“This is an irresponsible report made by the UN,” the army spokesperson said Sunday in reaction to the UN report.

“We had been expecting the UN body to commend the SPLA under the command of General Paul Malong Awan for his leadership command and control and taking the lead for wrongdoers to be held accountable,” he added.

Israel, according to the UN panel report, sold rifles and ammunitions to Uganda in 2007, which the latter transferred to the South Sudanese national security service in 2014.

Various media reports, however, say Israel didn’t receive a request from the East African nation for weapon transfer.

Israel was one of the first countries to recognise South Sudan’s independence when it broke away from Sudan in 2011.

The European Union has placed an arms embargo on South Sudan, while the United States has imposed sanctions on top military officials from both sides of the country’s conflict.

In August, the UN Security Council approved an additional regional protection force to enter South Sudan, but decided against an arms embargo on the country.

Since South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013, tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced.

(ST)