In a complaint which was addressed to the head of CTSAMVM, SPLM-IO Deputy Chair Oyet Nathaniel said the assailants, wearing both military uniforms and civilian clothes, stopped the car, opened the door, and fired at the driver, mistakenly believing him to be Col. Lam.
He said after the soldiers realized their error, they commandeered the vehicle and drove towards Luri military barracks. The SPLM-IO official, however, claimed the incident constituted an assassination attempt on Col. Lam’s life, citing previous threats against him.
Reacting on the matter, Yakani said the recent violations of the permanent ceasefire could trigger incidences that led to outbreak of violence in 2016.
“In July 2016, a similar act led to the breakout of full scale war,” said Yakani.
“The allegations from SPLA-IO about an assassination attempt on their military spokesperson Lam Paul should be investigate by CTSAMVM and if it is true, then the Joint Defense Board and the presidency should act and control their military forces confrontation especially at this moment where the country is expecting looming elections and constitutional making process,” he said.
Yakani said the presidency should raise matters on the ceasefire violation.
He called on the Joint Defense Board to ensure parties control their forces ahead the elections.
The activist said the incident involving the SPLM-IO spokesperson violates the Cessation of Hostilities’ Agreement (COHA) signed in 2017 and threatens the Permanent Ceasefire Agreement signed in 2018.
