August 23, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan’s armed opposition, SPLM/SPLA, “strongly condemns military offensive by government forces on their positions”.
According to James Gatdet Dak, the Spokesperson of SPLM/SPLA Chairmain, Salva Kiir’s government forces carried out multiple offensives on their positions in Central Equatoria, Upper Nile and Unity States.
In Unity state, Gatdet reports that the government troops moved out of the state capital, Bentiu, this morning to attack their positions around Nhialdiu before they were later repulsed and pursued to Bentiu town.
“We are dismayed by the renewed aggression by Salva Kiir’s government. Our forces came under unprovoked attack on Sunday morning in different states of the country.”Gatdet said.
“Government forces came out from Unity state’s capital, Bentiu, and attacked our positions around Nhialdiu on Sunday morning. They were however repulsed and retreated back to Bentiu.” Gatdet continued.
According to multiple sources from Unity State, the rebels have taken control of Nhialdiu town, which has been occupied by the SPLA-Juba and allied militias since May, 2015.
Gatdet also confirmed another offensive at Lainya on Juba-Yei road this morning between the two rival forces. He believes this was an escalation of earlier fighting at River Acca yesterday Saturday evening.
He believes that the government factions has been repulsed and over 20 soldiers were killed on the government side. Six military trucks were reportedly destroyed.
“Six military trucks were destroyed and 20 people killed on the side of the government. A first attack took place earlier on Saturday evening at River Acca.” Gatdet said.
SPLM/SPLA[IO] calls on the IGAD-Plus, the region and the international community to persuade Salva Kiir to sign the peace agreement and end the war.
“SPLM/SPLA calls upon the IGAD Plus mediation and the international community at large to put pressure on President Salva Kiir to sign the final peace agreement and end the war.” Gatdet said.
“This is a serious attempt by government to abandon the path to peace and resort to military solution to the conflict” he adds.
Since the peace signing dateline on August 17th, the two rival forces have fought in Pageri and Pajok in Eastern Equatoria, Kwek and Gabat in Upper Nile states before the latest offensives in Unity and Central Equatoria states.
Multiple assassinations and unwarranted detentions of politicians have also been reported in the capital, Juba, as Salva Kiir regime leads anti-peace protests across the country.
