SOUTH SUDAN: Four SPLA soldiers injured in a New clashes in Bantiu
Though the countries separated, the Catholic Bishops Conference remained one
At least four SPLA soldiers were wounded on Thursday, 19th, April, 2018, during fresh clashes with opposition forces loyal to Riek Machar in Northern Liech state.
Northern Liech state information Minister, Lam Tungwar confirmed that government forces clashed with forces loyal to Riek Machar between Bentiu and Nhialdhiu.
Tungwar claims SPLA forces were provoked by the opposition several times that is why, government has to attack them.
“We actually proved right on date 11, April, 2018, when they actually attacked the convoy of SPLA sent by the government of Northern Liech to go and check on Nhialdiu and that clashes actually have to be pursued by the government forces. Until now we got their own safe heaven where they usually live. Now that living place has been destroyed completely and they are on the run,” he said.
Tungwar is accusing SPLA-IO rebels of denying aid workers access to vulnerable populations in the area.
“Endangering the humanitarian workers is also something that is not acceptable; causing insecurity to the civil population is also not acceptable. And attacking government positions and forces is also an abuse of Cessation of Hostilities agreement. So, in self-defense, we have to defend ourselves as a government,” Tungwar said.
SPLA-IO Deputy Military spokesperson Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel has however denied that his group was behind the attack, adding that, the SPLA-IO would never stand in the way of aid workers helping people in need.
“Humanitarian workers always help the suffering population, the suffering civilians. These people are mostly found in our areas of control, because they don’t have access to cities like Juba, they cannot go to buy commodities in the markets. So, they survive entirely on humanitarian agencies,” said Gabries
Both Gabriel and Tungwar claim they are holding the Cessation of Hostilities signed in December last year.
