By Bida Elly David
South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) declared that the response to questions over the Mangala killings is on hold until further notice.
While speaking with No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper over the weekend, the military administration’s Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai, said the pausing of answers to the Mangala incident is to give ample time to ascertain facts for clear public information.
The pronouncement follows an accusation of falsehood made by the Bari Community when the SSPDF’s Spokesperson had earlier claimed NAS presence in Mangala Payam after the onslaught of the cattle keepers against the indigenous during the Christmas period.
“I won’t respond on the matter (of Mangala) now. Because the statement made by the Bari Community was printed. And it will be brought to the attention of the leadership for further study, and it’ll be responded to. So, our response will be out after thorough studies and analysis for accuracy” he said.
“We are a well-organized entity that does not do things in a hurry. We have not refused to respond but let us brainstorm and carry out our task appropriately” he added.
Two weeks ago, the SSPDF forces were accused by the Bari Community (BC) of having killed innocent civilians claiming that they were members of the National Salvation Front (NAS).
The community in their report accused the SSPDF’s Spokesperson of having issued a wrong statement and urging him to resign or be removed from his seat by the highest authority.
The community also accused the forces of discrimination saying that much favour was rendered to the herders who carried heavy arms for killing the lives of many populations in Mangala Payam.
However, the leadership of the Bari Community requested for immediate withdrawal of the SSPDF soldiers from the Western and the Eastern part of the Nile to avoid escalation of the violence to the next level.
When asked for a reaction to the personal charge against him, Maj. Gen. Lul said he can’t give any further statement over the matter.