South Sudan army, rebels trade control over Pagak town
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The governor of South Sudan's Maiwut state, Maj. Gen. Bol Ruach Rom
meeting a delegation from Ethiopia in Pagak (ST)
August 22, 2017 (JUBA) - South Sudanese rival forces have each issued
statements claiming to be in control of Pagak, the former rebel
headquarters located on the South Sudan-Ethiopian border.
Maiwut state governor Bol Ruach Rom told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that
he was in Pagak setting up his administration and to facilitate the
return of the civilians who fled military activities to the area.
“I am speaking from Pagak. I am here. Those who are saying they are
here, let them tell you where in Pagak they are talking to you. May be
they are talking of their own Pagak but the Pagak in which I talk to
you is under the full control of the government since I came here.
Those who were here left before I came and their attempts to return
could not succeed”, explained the governor.
The spokesman of government forces Brig. General Lul Ruai Koang
described as mere “propaganda” reports that Pagak was under the
control of armed opposition fighters.
“Which Pagak? The chief of defence forces led high-level military
officers there and his visit was all over in the media. Those reports
are just for face saving purpose by the anti-peace elements. Pagak is
under the full control of the constitutional forces and it where the
governor operates as his headquarters,” said Koang.
He added, “If you want, please contact him. He will tell you where he
is now so that you make your reports on the ground reality, not the on
the social media reports and press releases”.
Pagak, a town on South Sudan’s border with Ethiopia was captured by
government forces on 5 August, reversing all the gains made by the
armed opposition forces loyal to the former First Vice-President Riek
Machar in the past months.
Since then, however, the armed opposition forces have contested the
government’s versions on Pagak, insisting their fighters regained
control of their headquarters and were in the area, despite attempts
by pro-government troops to recapture the town.
The rebel spokesperson, Brig. Gen William Gatjiath Deng said
government forces do not control Pagak, but were at the Ethiopian
border.
“This is to once again remind the people of South Sudan that Pagak is
under the full control and completion of the gallant SPLM-SPLA (IO)
forces under the able and the visionary leadership of Dr Riek Machar
Teny Dhurgon,” Gatjiath said in a statement.
The military spokesman of the opposition claimed the area was
recaptured town from government forces after two weeks.
“We recaptured our SPLM-SPLA (IO) Headquarters (GHQs) weeks ago, and
General Bol Ruach Rom, General Nhial Batoang and the surviving Juba
regime soldiers were forced to flee to the Jowow Bridge area deep
inside the Ethiopian territory where they have since confined and
barricaded themselves,” he stressed.
The armed opposition official denied reports that government forces
were in the area, describing statements attributed to government
officials as “propaganda” and “misinformation” of the general
population.
“For the last two weeks, the Ethiopian authorities have been trying in
vain to convince General Bol Ruach Rom and General Nhial Batoang to
lay down their arms and surrender peacefully to the Ethiopia then they
should be handed over to the United Nation High Commissioner for
Refugee (UNHCR) for safety,” he said.
The rebel official said the chief of defence forces never stepped in Pagak.
“Instead, the Juba regime continued to pester the patience of the
Ethiopian government by sneaking Lt. General James Ajongo Mawut
Ungquec, Salva Kiir Mayardit’s Chief of Defense Forces, into the Jekow
Bridge area where he indeed met General Bol Ruach Rom and General
Nhial Batoang, without the knowledge of the Ethiopian authorities, as
displayed in the latest SSBC propaganda video”, he added.
Gatjiath said the armed opposition fighters welcomed Ethiopia’s
position to expel the government forces at the border, should they
fail to take advice after their meeting.
“We also appreciate the ultimatum of Sunday, August 20, 2017, from Mr
Gatluak Tut Khot, Governor of Gambella Region, to these isolated Juba
regime elements in Jekow Bridge to either leave Ethiopian territory
and return to South Sudan or surrender or/and be registered as
refugees in Ethiopia. This will once again help our people move freely
across the border,” he explained.
South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013 after President Salva
Kiir accused his former deputy, Riek Machar of attempting a coup.
Machar denied the accusation and launched a rebel movement. The South
Sudanese conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced
more than two million civilians.
(ST)
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23 August 00:13, by john akeen
Stop paying attention to Rebels propagandas, just let them keep on
talking. All you need to do is to set up your government in the pagak
state, that way you have demonstrate the truth to the people of pagak
state that you’re there for good and Rebels are going for good with
their propaganda from Pagak state. Rebels they just want our
government to pay attention to them by using propagandas
repondre message
23 August 04:50, by Ayuiu Makuac Lam
The rebels are reporting nonsense, Pagak, controlled by
government not rebels, may be there is second Pagak in Upper Nile
state.
repondre message
23 August 08:46, by gatkhor Nueri
Gatluak Jock Nyuot is the one who mislead the people of
S.Sudan that Leerpiny have been capture by Government.this is lie.
SPLA-OI give them 1 week.
repondre message
23 August 00:41, by john locke
This is to funny. How is the government in control when its
obvious that bol rom and nhial batoang are both still on the jakow
bridge? Some of they’re own forces have already surrendered their
weapons and registered as refugees.. funny that any would believe this
propaganda. Its clear that kiirs forces lost pagak, and never had it
to begin with. Now they are stuck on the bridge trying to negotiat
repondre message
23 August 03:49, by Nairobimitot
Pagak is under the government control. It is factual. The
government had a dig in heavily, and it is determined to stay there.
The government is busy bringing in security for the civilians. Clean
drinking water is now installed in Pagak for the civilian population.
repondre message
23 August 11:01, by Free at Last Viva!
My dear friend, you talk of government in control of
Pagak, and busy in bringing in security for civilian and installing
water facilities for them. This could be good if for sure that
destructive government is doing that. No civilian would even dare to
flee from them if they captured Pagak. However, the reality is the
opposite of what you just stated.
repondre message
23 August 11:07, by Free at Last Viva!
Nairobimitot,
Let me tell you what your government has done in that
shortest time when they pass through Maiwut to where they confined
themselves at Bridge: they have demolished the Maiwut County Hospital
that has been used by the Maiwut people, they have broken all the
doors of the hospital and disposed of all the medicines in the county
health center, they have broken all the hospital beds...
repondre message
23 August 11:49, by Free at Last Viva!
they have destroyed all plantations that the Maiwut people
has been blessed with during this season and cut down all the maize
planted in Maiwut, and in Pagak (these are the work of real enemy not
a government that claim to come to restore peace and stability in the
county). They have destroyed Pagak county hospital and primary schools
in both Maiwut and Pagak). Surely, this is not a government!
repondre message
23 August 03:45, by Agany Malim
This senseless war is just finishing the remain few pple who maybe
use to take Abyei under arabs rule that now kiir and Riek
destroying.after all this mesup you will once take no one away from
Janub ah sudan wether pagak is under kiir or riak adm it still
meaningless war.
repondre message
23 August 04:06, by john locke
Nairobi, how much is kiir or taban paying you to believe and
spread they’re lies? Lol.. did you not see the video of kiirs forces
crossing into ethiopia after surrendering to the ethiopian soldiers?
Or do you believe that was fake? Go to pagak and see for youre self.
The government even tried to make a fake video to make it seem as if
they made it to pagak. Ll. Funny government
repondre message
23 August 04:33, by Nairobimitot
Kiir and Taban are paying nothing. I am living through my
energy. They do not even know me.But I do not want my country to be
destroyed by rebels people who do not know how to rule. You are
tribal. Anyway, I wish the government clean all the insurgents in
Pagak this year. That is the only way for rebels to see peace and
development in their Area.
repondre message
23 August 04:30, by lino
Haha!!! Days will tell the truth. At that time, all will know!!!
repondre message
23 August 04:39, by john locke
Nairobi, you are a very funny man. Pagak will always be in control
of us the IO. We chased youre money lpvers bol rom and nhial away. Go
find them in Ethiopia. No government official of kiir or taban is
coming to pagak unless they have a death wish. Youre soldiers are
starving and government is collapsed. You cant even pay youre civil
servants. How can you get the people clean water? Lol.
repondre message
23 August 05:04, by Nairobimitot
John Locke,
Your rebels were chased out long ago. The government now as we
speak and they have the dig in heavily with tanks. Pagak is now secure
from your rebellion, and it will never happen for you to recapture
Pagak. Your dream of regaining Pagak is now a history. Forget about
it.
repondre message
23 August 04:54, by Ayuiu Makuac Lam
Please, Please , don’t listen to rebels groups reports.
They report empty vessel to confuse the world.
repondre message
23 August 04:57, by Ayuiu Makuac Lam
#Fagak and #Pagak are now available in Upper Nile state and they
are now controlling by government not rebels.
repondre message
23 August 04:59, by john locke
Ayuiu, so please tell me again where bol rom and his soldiers are?
Because they sure are not in pagak. Didnyou not see the video of them
entering ethiopia and being cursed at by the nuer refugee calling them
scared and money lovers? Or was that video fake.. lol. Go ask kiir for
more money so we can finish you like we did malongs militia
repondre message
23 August 07:12, by Jongo
SPLA Oyeee You so called IO or White Army you perish the Lord This
time you’r lucky enough been spelled out of Pagak AMEN but next time
although there be no next time SPLA is going to shoot to kill & left
no remains no chasing you’l be hunted & get kill where ever Now Lay
down your guns & you are welcome in Pagak with open arms
repondre message
23 August 07:17, by lou nuer
My dear friends loyal to Kiir Mayardit
Don’t believe on what Bol Ruach and Nhial Batoang
They are completely out of Pagak but they are right to say they
are in Pagak because they are in Bridge which connects Pagak and
Ethiopia. That picture was the one they capture when they were in Road
link Pagak and bridge. Why not bringing another picture? Useless Nhial
Batoang and Bol Ruach Rom. YOu will die.
repondre message
23 August 07:32, by Ayuiu Makuac Lam
John Locke
Bol Ruach Rom, is currently in #Pagak he became from #Maiwut two days ago.
Please don’t rely on rebels reports.
repondre message
23 August 08:46, by gatkhor Nueri
Gatluak Jock Nyuot is the one who mislead the people of
S.Sudan that Leerpiny have been capture by Government.this is lie.
SPLA-OI give them 1 week.
repondre message
23 August 07:39, by Sunday Junup
Pagak has buildings not only road, second a meeting between two
countries can never been conducted by military if it is development
concerns. I’m in Pagak now, call your Nuer wew to tell you where they
are or ask me what picture you needs as a prove
repondre message
23 August 07:50, by jubaone
It’s mostly jienges and supporters of the jienge republic that are
quacking and making so much noise.
1.As proof, Kiirminal or nyagat Taban el-jellab must take SSTV
crew to Pagak and show the world live pictures of his speech to
Pagakians.
2. Live interviews with SPLAnyors on Pagak and also arms, PoW, captured.
3. Interviews with Pagak civilians. Otherwise shut up 👆.
repondre message
23 August 09:09, by South South
jubaone,
I still don’t believe you talk like a man while you are not.
Pagak is ours and we will be there forever. Internet warriors can make
empty noises in internet, that’s is not our business. Our business is
to kick out enemies of South Sudan and make them live either in bushes
or run away and live in DIASPORA like you, that’s is our real
business.
repondre message
23 August 09:16, by jubaone
South South,
If you can’t fight for your dispossessed Abyei, if you
can’t control your Apuk-Aguok savages from finishing themselves, if
you can’t feed your starving jienges who ate fleeing their areas, if
you can’t return to your stinking luak cos you may die 💀 of hunger ir
get killed, that is your BUSINESS ya Aryan jienge. I am at ease 😁.
repondre message
23 August 09:21, by jubaone
South South,
By the way, try visiting Pagak and bring us some
actual photos from their. Maybe you could take a snap with some of the
Nuer nyagateen who "liberated" Pagak cos cowardly Jienges can’t manage
that alone. Thanks to Nuer wieuw, ya MTN.
repondre message
23 August 08:09, by gatkhor Nueri
Trillion Thanks SPLA-I-O 10000000%
Ochan Puot Trillion Too
repondre message
23 August 08:16, by gatkhor Nueri
Nyibol Ruac Rom and Nyanhial batoang they will cry like children
repondre message
23 August 08:19, by Nuer bi Bay Dom
there is a professional training centre in Juba where governemnt
officials are bieng tought on how to disseminate lies and propoganda.
Makiue Lueth is the lecturer.Bol Ruch Rom is the new student.please
Bol show us your new picture that show that your are still in Pagak.
repondre message
23 August 08:44, by gatkhor Nueri
Gatluak Jock Nyuot is the one who mislead the people of S.Sudan
that Leerpiny have been capture by Government.this is lie.
SPLA-OI give them 1 week.
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