S. Sudanese army on offensive against opposition forces in WES: spokesperson
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February 14, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudanese army (SPLA) has
continued with new military offensives to dislodge opposition forces
from their bases in Greater Mundri counties of Western Equatoria
state, officials have said.
JPEG - 39 kb
The South Sudanese army (SPLA) has been attempting to quell a
rebellion led by former vice-president Riek Machar since December 2013
(AFP)
The spokesman of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s
Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by the newly appointed First Vice
President, Riek Machar, said forces loyal to President Salva Kiir have
attacked several cantonment areas and outposts of their troops, west
of the national capital, Juba.
“Government forces have continued to attack our designated cantonment
areas and outposts in Greater Mundri in Western Equatoria state,”
James Gatdet Dak told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.
He said government forces on Sunday entered Medewu base, the
headquarters of the opposition’s commander on the ground in Mundri
West county, forcing the opposition forces to tactically withdraw from
the area.
Until Sunday, he said, fighting has been ongoing as government forces
were on offensive against a number of villages under the control of
the opposition forces including Bari, Kedida, Lui, Lanyi, Kiri, Midi,
Loso, Mekki and Mambe.
“Shelling on positions of our forces continued on Sunday evening,” he added.
He further explained that their forces of brigade 2 and battalion 15
had to tactically withdraw from their bases due to the surprise
attacks. There were heavy casualties on both sides, he added.
Dak further said civilian populations have borne the brunt of the
government’s renewed offensive as a number of villages have been
burned to ashes, with many civilians killed, including chief Ofogo and
displaced hundreds others.
He said the opposition forces under the overall command of Major
General Wesley Welebe have been respecting the ceasefire agreement,
but will continue to defend themselves from the attackers.
Government forces, he added, have been reinforcing from Maridi and
Yambio on Sunday with the aim to carry out further attacks in
violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The opposition leader’s spokesman called on the regional players and
the international community at large to put pressure on President
Kiir’s government to respect the ceasefire and stop the military
offensive.
He called on the ceasefire monitors to visit the areas mentioned and
verify the ongoing military aggression by the government.
In Juba, a senior military officer in the government confirmed to
Sudan Tribune on Sunday that government forces have indeed been on
offensive. He however defended the operations, saying they were meant
for specific mission to dislodge the opposition forces from
“illegally” established cantonment areas.
The two parties to the agreement, he said, have not yet agreed on
locations of cantonment areas in which to assemble rival forces prior
to their reunification process during the interim period.
It is not however clear whether the military operations have been
directed by the top leadership amidst shaky efforts to implement the
provisions of the security arrangements in Juba before formation of a
unity government.
The latest accusation comes a day after the opposition officials said
government forces also attacked their bases in Ezo county of Western
Equatoria and on Saturday attacked their designated cantonment area in
Magwi county.
If confirmed the renewed clashes between the two rival armies in the
country may threaten the implementation of the peace agreement they
signed 5 months ago.
(ST)
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