New Defection In Central Equatoria Captured Tore, Colonel Joins Rebels!

August 19, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — William Francis, a Colonel in South Sudan Army has captured Tore in Central Equatoria and declared loyalty to the SPLM/SPLA in opposition.

According to Brig. Lul Ruai Koang, the heavily armed government troops split into two groups and bitterly fought one another for two hours. Col. Francis has reportedly seized the town and its military barracks.

“SPLA (GRSS) today suffered a major internal revolt when Forces deployed at Tore Military Barracks west of Yei town in Central Equatoria State split into two groups and opened fire on each other.” Lul said.

“The internal rebellion was engineered by Col. William Francis whose forces succeeded in capturing the town after flushing out loyalists in a two hour gun-battle.” Lul continued

Brig. Lul reiterates that Col. Francis with the military equipments and his troops have officially joined the rebellion to fight for change in the country.

“Col. William Francis with all the equipment/hardware and servicemen &women under his command have now joined the rebellion under able leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny” Lul stated.

Central Equatoria is at the heart of the current conflict, and Lul believes that the successful mutiny at Tore will strengthen the call for federalism and demand for change in the country.

“The fall of Tore would encourage fomenting of more successful internal rebellions by disenfranchised government troops, leaves Yei within operational scope of Greater Equatoria Front and cuts off Western Equatoria State from its only southern supply route.” Lul said.

Small arms fire rocked Juba on Monday night.

Sources from Juba have confirmed hearing of gunshots in the capital, Juba, on Monday night. However, the cause of the incident is yet to be verified.

According to Brig. Lul Ruai Koang, the gunshots were fired during a house to house clearance operation by the government soldiers.

Lul believes that the government agents have selectively executed members of the army that were suspected to lean towards members of SPLM-IO, especially from the Nuer tribe, dinka-subtribes and as well as from Equatoria.

“Reliable sources say there was house to house searches and summary executions of SPLA soldiers based on ethnicity with Nuesr, Dinka Bor-Twic East, Duk Counties and Dinka from Northern Bahr El State especially those from Gen . Dau Atur-Jong county and Equatorians being the primary targets.” Lul said.

“It appears like the loyalists are carrying out internal purges after suffering heavy losses in the hands of Resistance Forces in Ayod and Bentiu towns.” Lul continued.

It remains unclear if the two consecutive fightings are linked to one another, however, the Equatoria community remains united and vigilant as the region demands federalism.