October 24th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan rebels led by the former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon said on Tuesday that South Sudan’s army attacked them and overran their bases in Yei River State’s Lainya County in new blow to ceasefire agreement.
South Sudan government and opposition forces signed a ceasefire agreement in June this year in the Sudanese capital Khartoum ahead of a then expected signed of the revitalized agreement in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
In a brief statement issued on Tuesday, the SPLM-IO governor of Yei River state, Matata Frank said government troops attacked their yesterday and have overrun two rebel rebel bases in Lainya County.
“Government forces advanced from Mundu and overran our positions at Limuro and Wuji in Lainya County this afternoon,” he said.
The opposition governor further said their forces were not aware during the time of the attack leading to military setbacks during the surprise attack after which the government captured their bases.
“Our soldiers were caught unaware because they thought people are for peace. As they saw armored vehicles they pulled out but the government force fired at them wounding two,” the governor added.
If true, the new attack will be a challenge for the parties who are struggling to implement a already fragile agreement.
South Sudan’s First Vice President designate and prominent opposition and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon said on Tuesday that he and his team are ready to attend a peace celebration due for 30th this month.
“Generally, we are ready for the [peace] celebrations in Juba,” Machar said on Tuesday in Khartoum.
Also, as way to combat ceasefire violations, the South Sudan’s army, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) have agreed to establish direct contacts between rival field commanders in areas of combat to help stop the ongoing defiance against ceasefire agreement signed in June this year.
