Nov 30, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Frustrated by the recent attacks on their oppositions in Central Equatoria, the SPLA-IO demands immediate withdrawal of the SSPDF from its assembly areas and re-supplying the displaced forces with foods and medicines alleging that their basic supplies were “looted by the SSPDF” during their recent clashes in Morota and adjecent areas.
According to a statement shared by the SPLM-IO deputy spokesperson, Col Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO said that its members went to Juba in December 2018 to implement the transitional Security Arrangement in Good faith and spirit; however, Salva Kiir’s faction has failed to contain their forces and allied rebel groups.
The statement further stated that during the meeting, the parties resolved that the security of the country should be in the hands of forces to the agreement which include the SSPDF, SPLA-IO and SSOA.
The parties agreed that any crime committed in one’s area of control should be treated as administrative issues but not a violation.
According to SPLA-IO, the ceasefire was observed until the defections started.
“The permanent ceasefire was observed from then until October 2019 in Maiwut when Gen. Ochan Puot defected to SSPDF and then was used to attack the APLM-IO cantonment sites in Turu. Then in August 2020, the SPL-IO Brig. Gen Bol Wek was arrested and detained for several weeks by the SSPDF until a committee was formed to release him and the soldiers with him,” the statement read in part.
“When Maj. General defected to SSPDF in September 2020 he was used and supported to attack the SPLA-IO position of Kerwa, Andejo and also Morota Unified training Center on 28/09/2020, 21st,26th, and 27th November 2020 taking the innocent lives of South Sudanese during peacetime,” the statement continued.
Since 2018, the SPLM/A-IO said it has noted continuous provocative and intended violations on their positions.
According to Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO condemns the attacks on Morota Unified Training Centre in the strongest terms possible.
SPLM-IO demands an immediate withdrawal of SSPDF from the SPLA-IO assembly areas of Kerwa, Andenjo, Kendiri, Mangalatore, Morota Juntion and Morota Unified Training Centre.
The SPLM-IO calls for urgent investigations and demands that the violators and perpetrators be held accountable for the crimes committed.
The IO further demands immediate unification of high commands and graduation of forces by the concerned committee to avoid constant violations.
The also calls for timely provision of food and medicines to the forces in Morota Unified Training Centre as the attackers looted the food and the medicines from the centre.
SPLM-IO further reiterated that any movement of forces should have to be approved by the concerned mechanism as provided for by the R-ARCSS.
