Juba, South Sudan
March 25, 2022—The Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar has dismissed the allegation that their forces launched an offensive against SSPDF in Malual Gahoth village.
This comes after Spokesperson of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang published a statement on Thursday purporting the declaration of war by SPLA-IO against SSPDF.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, the SPLA-IO military spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel reputed the claim and described it as “baseless accusation” against their forces.
“.. This morning the SPLA-IO read with dismay the baseless accusation made by the SSPDF spokesperson that the SPLA-IO forces under the command of Lt. Gen. Duit Yiech attacked the SSPDF forces in Malual Gahoth”, Col. Paul denied in a statement extended to Nyamilepedia.
“. The fight happened in Guol which is a base of the SPLA-IO in Longechuk County not Maiwut as claimed by Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang. The attackers came from Malual Gahoth. That means the SSPDF are the aggressors”, Col. Paul explained.
According to Col. Paul, ” it should also be noted that the SSPDF is currently readying its forces to attack the SPLA-IO base of Mathiang the HQ of Longechuk County as I write.
Col. Paul argued that Gen. Duit Yiech whom accused of spearheading the onslaught is a 80-year old veteran, who is currently undergoing medication in Ethiopia and as such the SSPDF claim is a misplaced lie.
“. Lt. Gen. Duit Yiech is a veteran with over 80 years of age and currently sick in one of the hospitals in Ethiopia. This disapproves the claim that he commanded the fight in Guol”,he further argued.
The military spokesman said that their suspension position from mechanisms meeting shouldn’t be viewed as declaration of war because they are the two different terms.
“.. The SPLA-IO position on suspension of mechanisms meeting is peaceful but not a declaration of war. The SSPDF should not cover up their war campaign against the SPLA-IO by lying publicly about their actions against the SPLA-IO in Guol”, he emphasized.
According to Col. Paul, the SPLA-IO remains committed to the implementing of the security arrangements and reserves the right to self -defense.
