By William Madouk
South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) are trading accusations over conflict in Upper Nile state.
A latest cycle of counter accusation from South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) warned of looming attacks on its personnel in Baliet County.
The Bilpham office blamed forces of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) with support of ‘White forces’ from Nasir and Ulang, for a planned attack on innocent civilians.
According to SSPDF Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai, an intelligence and aerial surveillance had spotted a huge number of SPLM-IO forces and White Army militia forces converging on to Baliet towns.
“In the last two weeks, SPL-IO and its affiliated militias, namely white armies from Ulang, Nasir and even Nyirol county of Jonglei state had mobilized large numbers with initial objective of thwarting planned rotation of troops in Nasir,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Lul added that SSPDF on Tuesday morning, deployed aerial surveillance and spotted two large columns of SPLM/A-IO forces and white armies advancing Gelachel and Baliet town.
“However, the latest intelligence received indicated that, the intention had shifted from hindering planned rotation of servicemen in Nasir, to conducting large scale offensive against innocent civilians in Baliet County,” he added.
He stated that the recent spiral of eminent violence has forced the local populace to evacuate their houses.
“Based on human intelligence gathered and aerial surveillance conducted, there are real threats of armed confrontations between SSPDF and the advancing enemy forces,” the army spokesperson said.
To minimize bloodshed, Maj. Gen. Lul said that the army ordered the unified forces to cease hostilities, retreat, and disperse.
“Failure to adhere to aforementioned calls, SSPDF, will be compelled to launch pre-emptive air strikes as well as conduct hast meeting arrangement,” Lul warned.
However, efforts by No.1 Citizen to get a comment from SPLM/A-IO spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, were futile as calls on his known contact went unanswered.
Similarly, attempts to reach out to Nasir County Commissioner, hit snag by press time.
The country has witnessed spat of confrontation between South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO).
Genesis of the recent clashes between the two forces of 2018 peace agreement, remains unclear, only counter accusations prop out to the public domain.
Meanwhile, during Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) meeting last month, Maj. Gen. Andrew Mangu of the SPLA-IO blamed the SSPDF for continuous violation of ceasefire.
He called on SSPDF to stop sending more forces to Nasir in Upper Nile State in order to de-escalate violence.
Maj. Gen. Andrew Mangu was quoted telling the meeting that “Right now, SSPDF is preparing to go to Nasir to face SPLA-IO; in order to have peace, this escalation should not take place.”