August 2, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLA-IO, has been accused by a lawmaker in Juba of killing at least nine civilians in an attack in Unity state’s Parieng County.
Riek Manyiel, a lawmaker at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) representing Ruweng, said the attack which also resulted in the wounding of three other people was carried out by elements of the SPLA-IO’s Olony.
“On the 23rd and 28th, the SPLA-IO attacked our positions in Ruweng, and during the attack, 9 people including women, children, and elderly people were killed,” Manuel said.
“We condemn this unwarranted attack on the civilian population because we are in peace. We call on the presidency to investigate the people behind this incident,” he added.
For his part, SPLA-IO deputy spokesman, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, denied the claims.
“If our forces attacked government territory, that means we would have information from the SSPDF command, but since we don’t have complaints from SSPDF command, it means that no attack happened from the SPLA-IO,” Lam said.
“I want to urge the public to disregard these kinds of information because they are just propaganda caused to derail the peace process and damage the image of the SPLA-IO,” he added.
