South Sudan Government Dispatches Reinforcements To Normalize Uprising In Equatorian States

Nov 24, 2015(Nyamilepedia) —- In response to over two weeks clashes between the army and the “arrow boys” in Western and Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan army headquarters in Juba  dispatched over 200 soldiers this morning as part of a series of reinforcement to normalize sporadic fighting in Equatorian region.

According to SPLA sources, this would be the third of these reinforcements within the last two weeks to areas that have been relatively calm since the conflict broke out in 2013.

Speaking to 1st Lieutenant Malith in Nimule, SPLA positions in Magwi County, Nimule and Opari area in eastern Eguatoria have been attacked by local youth whom he believes are allied to SPLA-IO within the last two days.

“Our people needed to be protected from the rebels. Their property and lives are in danger. So it is very good Juba is reinforcing SPLA positions” Malith said.

According to SPLA [Juba] military spokesman, about 250 soldiers were dispatched this morning, however, Col. Aguer argues that the redeployment of the troops is in accordance with the implementation of the peace agreement.

“Today the 23rd November, 2015 the SPLA General Headquarters is implementing the security arrangement and ceasefire agreement that stipulated the redeployment of forces from Juba to a distance of 25 km outside Juba town,” Aguer said in a news conference on Monday in Juba.

Major General Samson Mabior Lual, the Director for Operations at the military base in Juba, also confirmed the reports.

“We are now starting with 250 men and women of the SPLA,” Gen Samson Mabior Lual said.

According to the military spokesman, Col. Aguer, the troops would be deployed at about 25 kilometers from Juba, a report that is yet to be independently verified.

Received with mixed reactions, many residents of major towns in Equatoria are left with no second thought. They believe the government is preparing for yet another war in the region.

Speaking on behave of SPLA-IO, Dickson Gatlauk accused Juba of declaring a full scale war on their positions in Equatoria.

“South Sudan government is making more violations by advancing to the SPLA/IO position in Eastern part of Equatoria.” Gatluak said.

“Yesterday, the government forces attacked our position around Pageri at a place called Opari area in eastern Eguatoria. The SPLA/Juba faction is also planning to attack our forces in Northern Upper Nile.” he added.

“This demonstrates that the government has declared full scale of war against SPLA/IO to violate the recent peace accord.” Gatluak continued.

SPLM/SPLA-IO and local populations in Western Equatoria accuse the government of staging scenarios in the region to reinforce their positions.

According to Ma’di intellectuals in Nimule, Juba attacked a bus on Juba-Nimule road last week, killing at least five civilians, to create insecurity that would lead to deployment of more troops in areas across Equatoria.

To political analysts, members of Salva Kiir government from the neighboring states of Jonglei, Lake and Warrap fear that a possible Equatorian uprising in the region could jeopardize IDPs and cattle keepers in Nimule and other major towns in Western and Eastern Equatoria.

“Those of Makuei Lueth and Kuol Manyang are behind these malicious plans. Many of their people, their cattle keepers some raided from Nuer and Murle have all found save haven here in Nimule, Torit, Maridi, Yambio and some in our small villages. So they can do anything just to find means to protect their people her”  Said Samuel Taban Lokang, a law student at KIU University.

Within the last two weeks, eye witnesses confirmed the arrivals of “hostile” government troops in Nimule and Magwi town.

In other reports, military high commands of SPLA in opposition are meeting today in Pagak to further discuss the Republican Order no 36 and the amendment of the transitional constitution by a few members of Salva Kiir government.

“Meanwhile, the military high command council from SPLA/IO is convening today in Pagak under the Comradeship of Lt. Gen Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon,the Chairman of Sudan People Liberation Movement and Commander-in-chief of SPLA-IO. About 54 commanders are selected from difference directories with in SPLA GHQS. The meeting would disuse the creation of 28 states by Kiir’s government and the illegal amendment of the national constitution as well as the way forwards.” Dickson Gatluak said.