Clashes around strategic Yei town between South Sudanese rival forces:
Spokesperson
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August 9, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese rival forces have clashed
around a strategic town, Yei, which is about 160 km south of the
national capital, Juba, and towards the Ugandan border.
JPEG - 40.8 kb
A batch of the SPLA-IO forces after arrival in Juba, 1 April, 2016 (ST Photo)
This is after the opposition forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation
Army (SPLA-IO) under the leadership of the former first vice
president, Riek Machar, captured Lasu county, southwest of Yei.
Officials of the opposition faction confirmed that fighting erupted
around Yei town, the capital of the newly formed Yei River State, when
their forces came under attack from forces loyal to President Salva
Kiir.
“Our forces of the SPLA (IO) came under attack today, Tuesday, when
forces loyal to President Salva Kiir moved out of Yei town and
attacked them. They were attacked in their defensive position some
kilometers away north of Yei town,” confirmed James Gatdet Dak,
spokesperson for Machar, leader of the country’s main opposition
faction.
“However, our forces fought back in self-defence and chased the
attacking forces back into the town. They did not follow them to
capture the town,” he confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.
Dak also revealed that their forces on Monday captured a strategic
county of Lasu, which is south of Yei town, towards Kaya at the border
with Uganda.
He also said another force from Juba was defeated on Tuesday between
Juba and Lainya county when it attempted to attack the SPLA-IO forces
on Juba-Yei road, which he claimed to have been closed by the
opposition forces.
He further claimed that like Juba, Yei has also been besieged by the
opposition forces.
The opposition leader’s spokesman also said fighting was going on
around Renk, in the furthest north of the country, near Sudan’s
border. Also there has been fighting in Nasir and Maban areas in Upper
Nile state, he added.
There are also reports of fighting around Raga in Western Bahr el
Ghazal state, west of the country.
Fighting erupted in Juba on 8 July between bodyguards of the two rival
leaders, Kiir and Machar, and spread throughout the town, forcing
Machar and his small number of troops to leave Juba and relocate into
the bushes around the capital.
Opposition officials accused President Kiir’s forces of starting the
fighting at the palace in an attempt to kill their leader, an
accusation which President Kiir’s officials have denied.
President Kiir went ahead by replacing Machar, saying he had stopped
communicating with him and called on him to return to the capital.
Machar said he would only return to Juba once a third party force is
deployed to separate the rival forces and guarantee his safety.
He also said his replacement was “illegal” and a violation of the
Article 6.5 of the Agreement on the Resolutions of the Conflict in
South Sudan (ARCISS).
The East African regional bloc, IGAD, in their communiqué released on
Friday called on Machar to return to Juba and assume his position as
first vice president, calling on the newly appointed replacement,
Taban Deng Gai, to step aside.
Meanwhile as fighting continues around Juba, the two sides have called
for reinforcements from different locations and fighting has been
intensifying in the bushes around the capital and in other areas in
the country.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is expected to discuss and pass
a resolution on Friday for deployment of a third party force in Juba
to take charge of its security, including protecting the leadership,
civilians and key government installations.
(ST)
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The Sudan Tribune editorial team.
10 August 03:10, by Shadrack Nuer Machut
What a confused rebel! Last time he caused the greatest defeat to
his rebel soldiers in J1 as a result of his triggered war. Dr Riek
survived not b’se of his manhood but due to his being the FVP. Now,
Gatdet is making another war that’ll take lives of innocent pple. Take
care, u’ll soon hear a bad news if u don’t cease inculcating war in
phone calls & social media.
repondre message
10 August 03:29, by Shadrack Nuer Machut
IOs were transported to Juba by air per compromised peace,
remember this very good. U were nowhere except in Pagak. Ur believe in
military power won’t allow ur boss a freedom in Juba this time round.
We’ll witness it 2nd time whether 3rd force is really Riek Machar’s
safety or insecurity. I support de move so that we prove the idea
wrong & regret it together without blame on the TGoNU. Thxs 2 SPLA
repondre message
10 August 04:19, by Force 1
The government forces need to make sure that all those rival
forces get taken down as quickly as possible before the so call
protection forces come in. This is where by the protection forces will
come and see that there is nothing to protect because everything is
calm and no more snake raising its head and making troubles!
repondre message
10 August 04:37, by jur_likang_a_ likan’g
Force1,
It looks like your plan will not materialize. Evil forces have
never beaten the forces of justice, freedom and independence. Can you
do that in Raja, Juba, Yei, Torit? Soon the war will be taken to your
door step in either Bor, Aweil or Gogrial. Just keep watching the
drama unfolding.
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