Army command forms committee to investigate Upper Nile clashes

JUBA – South Sudan’s unified army command has formed a committee to investigate the violence in the country’s Upper Nile state, according to a statement issued by Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen. Santino Deng Wol.

Violence involving the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has been raging on in Upper Nile State’s Maiwut and Longechuk Counties with the two parties, both signatories to the revitalized peace agreement, accusing each other of starting it.

“By this order, I, General Santino Deng Wol Chok, the Chief of Defence of SSPDF do hereby convene this “Investigation Committee” comprise of members from different security institutions to peace partners as hereunder, to investigate the incidences that led to clashes in Jekou recently,” the statement, a copy of which was obtained by Sudans Post, reads in part.

Gen. Deng named Maj. Gen. Michael Majok Chan of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces as head of the committee and deputized by SPLA-IO’s Brig. Gen.  Amrose Kic Nyang Kic,.

Gen. Wol who also named Col. Gai Tek Ruathdel of the SSPDF Military Intelligence as the secretary further appointed William Deng Aguer of South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and SPLA-IO’s military intelligence officer Lt. Col. James Khor Mayen as members.

“This committee is tasked by this order to go down to Pagak to establish facts and the chain of events that led to clashes between SSPDF and SPLA-IO Forces in Pagak, Turu and Jekou,” Gen. Santino said in the statement.

“The committee is also powered to interview any officer, man or person(s) who they believe can provide reasonable facts and examine materials and articles that will be of benefit to just and objective result of investigation,” he added.