Government Troops Renew Attacks on Rebel Positions in Unity and Central Equatoria States

Government Troops Renew Attacks on Rebel Positions in Unity and Central Equatoria States

Government's soldiers. Photo: Samir Bol/AFP

Addis Ababa/Pagak, September 14, 2015 (SSNA) -- South Sudanese government forces have attacked rebel outposts in Unity and Central Equatoria States, rebel Spokesman and military officials of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).

Rebel forces allied to Former South Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar said government’s soldiers have attacked their bases in Katigiri in Wonduruba Payam of Central Equatoria and Guit County of the oil-rich Unity State.

“Forces of Salva Kiir have attacked our bases at Katigiri in Wonduruba payam in Central Equatoria state on Saturday and fighting is still going on. Forces of the regime in Juba have also come out from Bentiu, Unity state’s capital, and attacked our bases in Guit County,” rebel Spokesperson James Gatdet Dak said in a statement.

Gatdet accuses government troops of violating the recently signed power-sharing peace deal.

“[These] unprovoked attacks by government forces on positions of SPLM/SPLA are a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement,” he added.

Rebels said their forces in Unity State have repulsed government’s soldiers, adding that the fighting still raging.

The rebels call on the international community “to exert pressure on the regime to respect the terms of the Peace Agreement.”

The armed opposition says Juba is not serious about the peace agreement and questions government’s commitment to implementation of the pact. The rebel official also asserts that some elements within Kiir’s government may be sabotaging the implementation of the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement.

Source: southsudannewsagency.com