South Sudan armed group apologises over arrest of UN staff 17th Dec 2020 | Source: BBC
Armed groups still control various regions in South Sudan
South Sudan s main opposition group, the Sudan People s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO), has apologised following a report that its forces had last month arrested UN staff.
The group is a signatory to a 2018 peace agreement that ended six years of conflict and saw its leader, Riek Machar, appointed as vice-president.
Ceasefire monitors on Tuesday reported that the SPLA-IO forces arrested and detained UN staff and civilians at Farajalla village in Western Bahr El-Ghazal State.
Maj Gen Martin Abucha, a SPLA-IO representative, condemned the incident.
Two SPLA-IO soldiers injured by unknown gunmen in Mvolo County
At least two Sudan People s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) soldiers were injured after their cantonment site was attacked by unknown gunmen on Wednesday in Mvolo County of Western Equatoria State.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj the commander of the Dogborogboro cantonment in Mvolo County Brigadier General Abraham Mojur Mapir said unknown gunmen attacked their barracks and injured two of his soldiers.
The community health worker in Lessi PHCU in Mvolo County Stephen Yusif Clement confirmed that two SPLA-IO soldiers with injuries on their legs were being treated at the health care unit but would be transferred.
Ceasefire monitoring body concerned about repeated clashes
The body monitoring South Sudan s ceasefire has expressed concern over the continued armed confrontations between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in various locations in the country and other hold-out groups in Central Equatoria.
Speaking at the opening of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) meeting, the chairman Major General Teshome Gemechu Aderie said areas around Kajo-Keji remain fragile following recent confrontations in Moroto Unified Training Center.
“The situation in general in the areas of Moroto is still fragile and this has resulted in the displacement of civilians and some alleged rape cases. We also call upon the parties involved to take the necessary steps and adhere to the ceasefire and the protection of the civilians,” he said.
Attacks in Upper Nile, SSPDF and SPLA-IO trade accusations
The Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) yesterday said that the Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) attacked their Dinji training center in Maban County of Upper Nile State on Sunday and Monday.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel, the press secretary of the minister of defense, yesterday said “Yes, our base was attacked in Dinji training center in Maban County yesterday (Sunday) early in the morning and then again during the day.”
Col. Lam accused their peace partners of derailing the peace agreement which he says the IO leadership is working to implement.