Rebels Attack Two SPLA Positions In Upper Nile: Minister The Government Spokesperson in Upper Nile said anti-government forces loyal to former Vice-president Dr. Riek Machar have attacked two positions in the state at Panyikang and Makal counties. 12 February 2014
By Ariik Atekdit JUBA, 12 February 2014 [Gurtong] -Philip Jiben Ogal said that Machar's loyalists have refused to stick to the Addis Ababa Agreement of Cessation of Hostilities signed on January 23 between them and the Juba government. "They have attacked Owaci SPLA garrison at 7:45 am on Tuesday Feb 11. Our government forces repulsed them when they were defending their positions. And three days ago they also attacked an area called Pakang another SPLA garrison," Jiben said. The Minister said Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) is in the defensive position as the government observes the CoH brokered by IGAD. The minister lamented: "They have continued to abuse the CoH Agreement. Riek's forces don't want peace. Why do they continue offending our position?" Gurtong has not been able to get any comment from the rebel forces in the state as possible contact persons are difficult to get. Nevertheless, Jiben said that Malakal is relatively calm and citizens are carrying out their normal activities in the capital as security has been beefed by the SPLA. The minister continued to appeal to the citizens to return to home to resume their normal lives. Though the government controls Malakal town, the seat of the state government, still 4 counties of Nasir, Ulang, Maiwut and Longechuk are being controlled by rebels according to the information minister. The Mid-December internal power struggle within the ruling SPLM party degenerated into internal armed conflict pitting armed loyalists of President Kiir and his former deputy Machar against each other. President Kiir called it a "coup attempt" but Machar denied it, saying it is a ploy to eliminate the president's critics. Dr. Machar and his followers however accuse president Kiir of dictatorship, saying they want a democratic South Sudan government for which they are fighting. The conflict quickly spread to Bor, Bentiu, Malakal and the latest in Tonj North county of Warrap state. It has worsened the humanitarian challenges in the country as almost 900,000 people have been displaced and are in dire need of assistance. Posted in: Home<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/1/Home.aspx> , Governance<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/6/Governance.aspx> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14oohgX3KpuVr2r2jfN-jy4%3Dy4RVNreGmz1QkWHJsz_LeHw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
