General Cirilo’s group condemns ‘unsubstantiated allegations’ against its forces

JUBA – South Sudan’s holdout opposition group, National Salvation Front (NAS), led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka has condemned what it calls unsubstantiated allegations that it has launched attacks against civilians along the highways.

Last week, a senior government official in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria state accused NAS elements of abduction and killings along the country’s highway including the most recent killing of regional traders.

“NAS condemns in the strongest terms possible these unsubstantiated allegations labeled against NAS forces by the regime’s state collaborators. The purpose of these accusations is conspicuously to lie to the state citizens that the failed state government is relevant and still working,” NAS said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

The holdout opposition rebel group instead accused South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of carrying out the highway attacks including the most recent attacks along Juba-Yei road.

“The SSPDF are continuously looting and battery citizens in areas of Morsak Boba and in Kenyi Boma of Yei and Lainya counties respectively,” it stated, citing an incident in which the army and some elements allegedly attacked a cattle camp in Kenyi Boma and looted several animals.

“This is an open looting perpetrated by the so called government soldiers against innocent civilians and yet the government which is supposed to protect and defend these civilians opted to side with these elements that are tormenting their constituencies,” it stressed.