By Bosco Bush
Confrontations between South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and opposition forces allegedly resumed yesterday in Kubri Bou, Nagero County, Western Equatoria State, though no casualties have been reported.
The fighting, which began last Saturday, is linked to the removal of a checkpoint at Kubri Bou where opposition forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) are stationed.
In a statement, SPLA-IO Military Spokesman, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, reported a fresh attack launched on their forces by the national army yesterday at around 9:00 AM.
He stated that the attempt was intended to dislodge the opposition forces’ camp at Kubri Bou.
The latest attack this time occurred on the side bordering Western Bahr el Ghazal State, he said. However, he stated that the SPLA-IO repelled the aggression and maintained their defensive position.
“This [Monday] morning at about 9:00 AM the SSPDF again left its trenches and attacked the SPLA-IO base in Bou in their campaign to expand territory in the name of closing checkpoints. The SPLA-IO repulsed the aggression and maintained their defensive position,” said Col. Lam Paul.
Lam outlined the move as a continuous violation against the SPLA-IO in Bou, and called upon the Joint Defence Board [JDB] to exercise control before things get out of hand.
On Saturday, last week, SSPDF Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang told reporters that, SPLA-IO forces have attacked an SSPDF infantry brigade tasked with the responsibility of removing illegal checkpoints between the neighbouring Western Equatoria & Western Bahr El Ghazal States.
Gen. Ruai claimed that the attack was launched by SPLA-IO forces against SSPDF soldiers in the wee hours of Saturday in Nagero County.
This, he said, came 3 days after the illegal checkpoint at Kubri Bou was removed following a consensus between SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Dr. Paul Nang and his Deputy, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Doup Lam who doubles as the SPLA-IO Chief of General Staff.
Reacting to the matter on Sunday, SPLA-IO Spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel expressed dismay and dismissed the statements made by the SSPDF Spokesperson as baseless allegations and violation of the revitalized peace agreement in Western Equatoria State.
Col. Lam in a statement, said the clash was a result of an aggressive attack by the SSPDF outside Kubri Bou. He called on CTSAMVM and JDB to urgently probe the incident and hold the perpetrators responsible.
“The clashes that happened yesterday was an aggressive attack by the SSPDF outside Kubri Bou not as baselessly alleged by the SSPDF Spokesperson,” stated Lam.
“The SPLA-IO calls upon the CTSAMVM and the JDB to urgently investigate this violation and bring those responsible to book,” he said.
Kubri Bou, Lam said, has been an assembly area of the SPLA-IO, not an outpost of the SSPDF, adding that, the SPLA-IO withdrew from Kubri Bou in the spirit of peace following the presidential directives for the closure of illegal checkpoints along some major highways across the country.
Regarding the consensus reached between the military chiefs as stated by the SSPDF Spokesperson, Col. Lam mentioned that there has never been a consensus reached between the security chiefs regarding which force should be deployed in Kubri Bou.
The SPLA-IO, Col. Lam said, are still urging the SSPDF CDF to coordinate activities in SPLA-IO territory with the Chief of General Staff of the SPLA-IO being Chair and Co-Chair of the Joint Defence Board respectively.
To avoid escalation of such conflicting incidents in future, he suggested the deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces [NUF] to work on the removal of checkpoints in the area rather than being conducted by the SSPDF.
Condemnation.
A Civil society activist has expressed concern and strongly condemned this armed confrontation between the rival forces.
Ter Manyang, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), in a statement, said – the conflict casts a negative shadow just at the beginning of the new year, calling it unnecessary at the expense of the citizens.
He urges commanders of the rival forces to understand the principles of humanitarian law, international law, and human rights law before making decisions that undermine the peace implementation efforts agreed upon in the Peace Agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose South Sudanese citizens without justification in these unnecessary confrontations between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO, which tarnish the country’s image abroad,” stated Manyang.
The activist also calls on peace mechanisms such as RJMEC and CTSAMVM to conduct thorough investigations and hold accountable those who violate the R-ARCSS for their unlawful actions.
“CPA reminds all parties that the implementation of the R-ARCSS is a collective responsibility, including the soldiers who are being used by politicians for their personal gain,” he stated.
According to Chapter 2, Article 2.1.10.4 of the R-ARCSS, offensive, provocative, or retaliatory actions, including the dissemination of hostile propaganda, are prohibited unless reported to the CTSAMVM prior to any movement or activities that may jeopardize this agreement.