Army ‘vehemently’ denies alleged arbitrary arrest of civilians in Central Equatoria

JUBA – South Sudan army has denied in a statement on Tuesday allegations by holdout opposition National Salvation Front (NAS) that it has been involved in arbitrary arrest of civilians in the country’s Central Equatoria state.

Last week, the National Salvation Front led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka said government forces stationed in different parts of Central Equatoria state were involved in arbitrary detention and other atrocities against civilians.

These include alleged arrest of twenty (20) women and looting of civilian properties in Wounduruba by members of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.

Similarly on 24th May 2021, in Rudu village in the outskirt of Lainya town, the SSPDF, according to NAS, arrested more than Thirty (30) civilians, equally looted all their properties, and displaced the whole village.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post this afternoon, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF Spokesman, denied all the allegations.

“We vehemently deny all allegations leveled against our forces deployed at various operation zones in different parts of Central Equatoria State,” General Lul said in the statement.

“To be specific, we are not engaged in arbitrary arrest of civilians perceived to be rebels’ sympathizers. Aware of outlaw’s strategy of blending and operating in densely populated civilians’ areas with a range of modern ways are employed to gather actionable intelligence which is in turn analyzed,” he added.

He called on the Ceasefire Monitors to conduct joint investigations to verify the allegation made by the NAS.

“It is worth pointing out that NAS’s allegations are aimed at portraying the SSPDF in a bad light,” he said.