South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Chief of the Defense Force of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF), Gen. Paul Nang Majok, on Friday ordered the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and its allied White Army to release the hijacked boats at Adok Port in Leer County, Unity State,
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Force, said that credible intelligence, along with complaints from various entities, indicated that several barges and boats had been hijacked by SPLA-IO fighters and the White Army.
“In light of the inconvenience caused, SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Dr. Paul Nang Majok, hereby orders the immediate and unconditional release of all hijacked barges and boats. Failure to comply with these operational orders will result in taking of punitive aerial and riverine actions,” Koang said in a statement.
“ mass hijacking at Adok Baar Port has resulted in the commandeering of eight boats transporting passengers and assorted commercial goods. In blatant violation of the rights of passengers and business owners, those on hijacked boats were ordered to disembark and told to find alternative means to reach their final destination,” he added.
Koang noted that the barges and boats were hijacked in Fangak and Leer counties of Jonglei and Unity states, respectively, and mentioned that one of the boats belongs to the United Nations while another is owned by a South Sudanese businessman.
Koang described the commandeering of boats as “tantamount to piracy,” emphasizing that such incursions by the SPLA-IO and its allied White Army have seriously disrupted river transportation.
“In other serious violations, commandeered boats had their cargo offloaded, and passengers along with crew members were held hostage. The hijackers have been demanding ransom payments ranging from SSP 10,000,000 to USD 50,000, depending on various factors,” he said.
