December 21st 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan army on Thursday called for a join military operation against the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka days after the army and the rebel group clashed in the Equatoria region.
Early on Thursday, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang called in a statement seen by the Nyamilepedia the designation of NAS as a terrorist organization and blacklist it’s leader Cirilo for undermining peace in the country.
In the same statement, Lul said the National Salvation Front must be fought to prevent further security breakdown urging peace partners and apparently the SPLA-IO to prepare for a joint military offensive against NAS.
“To us in SSPDF, NAS must be fought and wiped out,” he said adding that “We call upon our Peace Partners to pool our resources in order to eliminate threat posed by NAS and its leader.”
The statement issued by Lul further sought to encourage regional and international community to compel Cirilo return o the negotiating table saying “The region, TROIKA, IGAD and AU has a role to play in ensuring Gen. Thomas Cirilo joins the R-ARCSS.”
For his part, the SPLA-IO deputy spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel told the Nyamilepedia that they were not officially informed by SSPDF but will participate in any military combat against peace spoilers.
“Thomas Cirilo is a threat. We have been calling upon him to join the peace process but he keep refusing. There will be a time that we will not have any other option than attacking him and his forces to achieve peace and stability in the country,” he added.
Cooperation with Regional Protection Force
The statement further asserted that commitment of the government in cooperating with the Regional Protection Force (RPF) dying the delay in the deployment is the responsiveness of the troops contributing states.
“Let the people of South Sudan know that a speedy deployment of RPF is dependent on responsiveness of troops contributing countries. We, in SSPDF reiterates its commitment to working with RPF,” he said.
Lul further reiterated government commitment in creating conducive environment for armed opposition leaders who are signatories of the revitalized peace deal.
“Transitional Security Arrangements SSPDF will continue building confidence and trust with peace partners as well as ensure a conducive environment for various armed groups that are signatories to the R-ARCSS. We will continue to ensure their safety and protection,” he said.
