October 16th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by the former First Vice President of South Sudan Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon said on Monday that the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen. Thomas Cirillo has no base nor forces in Western Bahr Al-Ghazal state.
The claim by the main armed opposition group followed claims on Sunday by NAS that it’s forces were attacked by government troops on Saturday outside Wau town in Western Bahr Al-Ghazal state.
In a statement issued on Monday and extended to the Nyamilepedia, the SPLA-IO deputy military spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel said the claim by NAS that it has forces in the area is not true.
“It is further disappointing that the so-called SSOA-TC claimed having forces in Ngoku Wau that was attacked by the regime’s forces.This is completely false in its highest capacity; SSOA-TC (South Sudan Opposition Alliance – Thomas Cirilo) or NAS doesn’t have any fighting force in Wau,” Lam wrotein a statement on Monday.
The SPLM-IO, in light of attacks it said was carried out by government forces and those of NAS, called on peace monitors and UNMISS to investigate these ceasefire violations.
“The SPLA IO calls upon CTSAMM, UNMISS and HRW to investigate these cowardice acts of aggression by the regime and NAS forces against the SPLA IO positions and civilians,” it added.
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon signed a ceasefire agreement in June to end the fighting ahead of a then peace agreement due for September.
The two, on September 12 signed the long-awaited revitalized agreement to end the ongoing civil war reaising hope of end to fighting.
The agreement was signed as part of regional effort brokered by IGAD to end the five-year old brutal conflict which he killed thousands of civilians and displaced millions.
