SPLA-IO calls for investigation into clashes in Western Equatoria state

The Sudan People’s Liberation Army -in Opposition (SPLA-IO) on Friday called for investigation into recent fighting with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Western Equatoria State.

By Simon Deng

The Sudan People’s Liberation Army -in Opposition (SPLA-IO) on Friday called for investigation into recent fighting with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Western Equatoria State.

 “The SPLA-IO strongly refutes the false claims made by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) regarding the implementation of the presidential order to remove checkpoints in Western Equatoria State,” said Maj. Costa Joseph Aburida, the spokesperson of SPLA-IO in Western Equatoria State in a statement.

Aburida particularly asked the peace guarantors to immediately intervene and hold the SSPDF command in Juba accountable for these grave violations.

“The order was clear: remove all illegal checkpoints, not launch unprovoked attacks on SPLA-IO forces in their designated cantonment areas,” he said.

Aburida said the SPLA-IO Sector 6 Commander stationed in Kubur Boo was not informed of any SSPDF movement in the area, adding that there was no official communication received from the SSPDF command regarding their intentions.

“However, instead of adhering to this directive, the SSPDF has deliberately escalated hostilities against our forces, our forces came under heavy attack, with SSPDF troops unleashing machine gunfire against our positions,” he said.

Aburida said there are currently over 20 illegal checkpoints still manned by SSPDF forces across Western Equatoria State.

He also added that the attacks on their forces were in violation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

Aburida also said SSPDF troops have looted civilian properties, ransacked Duma Payam PHCC, and pillaged all medical supplies from the facility, noting that this reckless act of aggression had nothing to do with removing checkpoints but was a direct attack on SPLA-IO forces.

“If the SSPDF was genuinely implementing the presidential order, they would have started by dismantling checkpoints from their headquarters in Yambio. Instead, they launched an offensive against SPLA-IO forces in Kubur Boo, exposing their hidden agenda,” he said.

Aburida said the continuous attacks on SPLA-IO forces, the looting of civilian property, and the reckless military aggression must stop.

“The real motive behind this attack is now evident—the SSPDF Division Commander has declared war on SPLA-IO forces and deployed James Nando to Kubur Boo as part of their offensive strategy. If the SSPDF is serious about peace, they must cease hostilities, dismantle all illegal checkpoints, and respect the agreements in place,” said Aburida

The clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO erupted in mid-January at Kubri Boo check point in Nagero County of Western Equatoria State, and later on the fighting spread to Bazia in neighboring Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

The fighting left more than 16 people killed, with civilians being the majority of the dead.

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