JUBA – South Sudan’s rebel National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have clashed in the country’s Central Equatoria state with NAS saying they have been attacked in Lainya and Wonduruba.
According to a NAS statement, the clashes occurred on Wednesday and said the alleged SSPDF was repulsed following hours of fighting between the two belligerents which are holding peace negotiation in the Italian capital Rome.
“Using Katigiri and Loka West as the launching pad, the SSPDF conducted a daring incursion into NAS positions,” the National Salvation Front said in a statement extended to Sudans Post on Wednesday.
“As we report, the military engagement is ongoing and NAS gallant forces are actively resisting these attacks resulted in desertion of some SSPDF soldiers to Juba especially those who did not want to be used by Kiir regime in keeping them in power,” the statement added.
The hold-out group, however, said it is closely monitoring this development, expressing its readiness to “contain and defeat” the country’s military.
“On a special note, the leadership of NAS directs NAS forces in all area command to observe maximum readiness in defense of their lives and positions as well as protect the civilians and their property,” it stressed.
Meanwhile, the hold-out opposition group reiterated its commitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on December 21, 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the Rome Declaration signed on January 20, 2020.
