By William Madouk
First Vice President has engaged Upper Nile authorities, local leaders, and armed youth to de-escalate the tension arising from army rotation.
Dr. Riek Machar Teny, leader of South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) met with county commissioners from Ulang and Nasir, along with leaders of armed groups, to discuss the conflict that arose from the unilateral replacement of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Wech-Yar Adiu of Nasir County.
“The SPLM/A-IO chairman Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurhon engaged with Upper Nile state and county authorities, leaders of armed youth and traditional leaders in Ulang and Nasir counties to deescalate the tension arising from the unilateral replacement of SSPDF forces in Wech-Yar Adiu of Nasir County,” said Pal Mai Deng, the party spokesperson.
According to Mai, conflict emerged due to the deployment of Agwelek and Abhushok militias along with the non-unified SSPDF forces in Nasir.
He added that this could have been averted if Unified Forces had been deployed in the area in accordance with the peace agreement.
He said following the meeting, commissioners were instructed to “receive and guide the incoming gunboats transporting forces to Wech-Yar Adiu.”
However, the SPLM/A-IO denied involvement in any battle, branding the claims as a “fabrication” and “provocation.”
“The statement of the SSPDF spokesperson of involvement of the SPLA-IO forces in yesterday’s clash between the SSPDF and allied militias, and the youth is a fabrication and provocative,” Mai alleged.
The SPLM/A-IO reiterated its commitment to the 2018 peace accord and urged all parties to uphold it.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai, the SSPDF spokesperson, issued a final warning and appeal to SPLA-IO and the White Army.
He claimed that credible intelligence indicated the use of heavy artillery, such as Zuu-23, 14.5mm, and 12.7mm, in Nasir’s marketplaces and army lines.
“In light of the level of combat readiness observed and offensive posture taken, SSPDF command/ leadership takes this opportunity to issue the final waring and makes last appeal to SPLA-IO fighters and the White Army to withdraw from mentioned areas of deployment with immediate effect,” he said.
He directed SPLA-IO forces to return to their original deployment zones, while the White Army was told to return to their villages.
“The aforementioned forces are ordered to comply with those orders within an hour. Failure to comply, will compel SSPDF to deploy superior and deadly aerial support capabilities,” he warned.
In the meantime, the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Delegation of the European Union expressed deep concern over the clashes and the risk of increased violence in Upper Nile State.
Their statement noted, “We are convinced that leaders based in Juba from all parties, including SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO, have the ability to deescalate the situation in a responsible and peaceful manner.”
The eight western embassies urged all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue.
Similarly, Mr. Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), criticized the recent conflicts in Upper Nile and called for leaders to engage in talks, rather than resort to violence.
The CPA urged peace monitors to condemn the attacks, emphasizing, “SSPDF is using helicopters against civilians, which is prohibited and constitutes a violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws.”
CPA urged peace monitors “to condemn the attack because SSPDF is using helicopter to boom the civilians which is not allowed this is a violation of the international human right and internation humanitarian laws.”
“SSPDF should be mindful because they are national army they can not use heavy weapon against civilians this one is amount to crime against humanity as activities I call parties to RTGoNU especially president Kiir to address the nation,” he said.
He questioned whether the two principals still have authority over their forces.
Since combat erupted two weeks ago, it is unclear how many people have died because officials on the ground have yet to reveal any casualties from warring groups.