Dec 06, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —— Responding to claims by Salva Kiir’s SPLA spokesman, Brigadier Lul Ruai Kong, who alleged that the rebels are asking $2.5 million USD dollar in ransoms to release the Commissioner of Kangapo County in Yei River State, the rebels have reveal no intention to take even a “single coin” as ransoms but warns that their long term plan is to capture or abduct president Salva Kiir to end the conflict, once and for all.
The prisoners of war and those abducted by SPLM/SPLA rebels are kept in secured areas under heavy patrols to ensure that they do not fuel the conflict in volatile areas under weak government controls like Yei River State.
According to officials of SPLM/SPLA in Opposition, Mr. Juluce Tabule, the Commissioner of Kangapo County is safe and sound, however, the rebels will not release him for exchange of anything except peace in the country, said Dickson Gatluak, a spokesman in SPLA-IO.
“The Sudan’s People Liberation Movement/Army would like to refute the false claim by the government of South Sudan that “ $2.5Million USD Ransom is demanded for the release of Mr. Juluce Tabule, the Commissioner of Kangapo- County in Yei River State” Said Dickson Gatluak.
“This is to inform the people of South Sudan and the world at large that the SPLA/IO has not demanded any pay for his release. Hon. Juluce Tabule who was trapped by a situation over the weekend when the incident occurred between our forces and government is safe and sound.” Gatluak continued.
According to Dickson Gatluak, Tabule, who was capture over the weekend, is like any other prisoners of war in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity State who are being kept by SPLA/IO without asking for any ransoms.
“The claim by the government of South Sudan is a misleading nature or propaganda and we would like to inform the general public that the captive is in a good care, healthy and being kept in safe-conduct by the administration of the SPLA/IO.” Gatluak said
“It would be his decision to join the SPLA/IO and announce his defection to the people movement in the coming few days.” Gatluak continued.
According to Gatdiet Peter, a media coordinator for the opposition, who also denies the reports by Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Kong, a defected officials of the rebels who is now fighting back, the rebels are seeking any material gains but deeply committed to the cause of liberation.
“SPLM/A-IO under able and democratic leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny -Dhurgon did not and will never ask ransom for the release of commissioner of KajoKeji county, cde. Juluce Tabule as alleged by regime’s army spokesman. SPLM/A-IO is not at any point of seeking material gain or something else but deeply committed to the cause of liberation in order to free our people, who are currently trapped by oppressors.” Gatdiet said.
Gatdiet reiterates that abduction of government officials should serve as a warning that the rebels are capable of abducting senior officials including president Salva Kiir.
“The abduction of Commissioner, Tabule was actually intended to deny him from inapplicable policies of the rogue regime and more importantly, a clear message to Salva Kiir and his closed associates that SPLM/A-IO is predominantly occupying a larger part of the country and could even by any time soon abduct Salva Kiir himself or his key officials.” Gatdiet said.
These responses were directed to Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Kong, who is leading more of a personal fight against Dr. Riek Machar and other officials whom he believed treated him unfairly in SPLM/SPLA(IO) which led to his defection in Early 2015.
Lul who did not present any legal evidence in form of a recorded audio or signed document from the abductors said the rebels are asking ransoms and therefore they are terrorists and the international community should intervene to fight SPLA-IO
“This is to inform the people of South Sudan, region and the international community that armed terrorists affiliated to Warmonger Riek Mach have demanded $2.5Million USD in order to release Mr. Julius-Tabule Commissioner of Kangapo- County in Yei River State whom they abducted over the weekends with his three bodyguards.” Lul said.
“This is a confirmation of what SPLA has been telling the whole world that we are dealing with terrorists who have resorted to acts of terror and banditry-.The people of South Sudan and the region should waste no time in adding Riek’s to list of world’s terrorists organization.” He continued.
The fighting between the SPLM/SPLA(IO) and SPLM/A(IG) has seen many abductions including that of Dr. Machar’s spokesman, Mr. James Gatdet Dak, who was abducted by Kenyan authorities and handed him over to his enemies in Juba, South Sudan.
Since his abduction, Gatdet has remained in prison in Juba and attempts by the international community and SPLMS/PLA(IO) have failed to secure his release.
Without saying anything about the release of Mr. James Gatdet, officials of Salva Kiir administration demand that the rebels should immediately release their officials or otherwise they will be fought by the regions and the international community.
