January 3rd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan army, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Thursday accused the holdout opposition group, National Salvation Front (NAS), led by Gen. Thomas Cirilo of massacring civilians in two Equatoria villages.
The accusation came one day after a Lainya county youth and intellectual group issued a statement accusing the group of terrorising people in a Lainya county village.
In a statement issued on Thursday, South Sudan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said 19 civilians were killed by the group.
“It’s with heavy heart that SSPDF announces to the people of South Sudan, region and the international community about the massacre of 19 civilians and wounding of eight others,” Lul said adding that “wounded are currently receiving treatment at Juba Military Hospital.”
He further said the killing of which took place last night in Gorom and Wundoraba, both of which are in Central Equatoria’s Yei River state, was carried out by NAS fighters buy topamax 100mg commanded by Gen. Kenyi Loboron.
“Those civilians were killed last night at village between Gorom and Wundoraba. Among the dead were women & children and the elderly. They were killed by NAS fighters under direct command of Kenyi Loboron,” he said.
The statement which said it condemns the “unjustified” killings further urged the regional and the international to hold to account Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka over the incident urging peace monitors to investigate the incident.
“On the same note, SSPDF calls upon IGAD, AU, EU, TROIKA and the international community to hold to account Gen. Thomas Cirilo and his murderous field commanders,” they said.
“SSPDF calls upon CTSAMM-VM to investigate and verify this latest violation of R-ARCSS and perminant Ceasefire Agreement,” it added.
Cirilo’s NAS is not a signatory to the revitalized peace deal signed in September last year by President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and that’s why it is called a ‘holdout’ opposition group like many others who are not part of the deal.
