Governor Jadalla urges SPLA-IO to protect civilians from rebels

JUBA – The governor of South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State Governor, General Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani, on Monday instructed the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) to safeguard civilians from rebel attacks following recent killings in Wonduruba Administrative Area and Kajo-Keji County.

Addressing soldiers at an SPLA-IO cantonment site in Panyume, Morobo County, Governor Jadalla emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and their property, urging the forces to play a vital role in maintaining security.

Jadalla linked peace preservation to the successful implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

“Let us all speak about peace because if you look at your uniforms (SPLA-IO), it has the flag of South Sudan on it. This indicates that we are one,” Jadalla said, stressing the need for soldiers to embrace a peaceful spirit.

General John Mabieh Gar, SPLA-IO commander at Panyume, called for the integration of SPLA-IO forces, noting they have been stationed at cantonment sites since 2018.

“We are your children, and we should not be left in the bush for long and the citizens are tired too. So, you have to unite the people,” said Mabie.

General Wisely Welebe, Assistant Chief of Defense Force (CDF) for Logistics of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), appealed to the forces to maintain a respectful relationship with civilians and local authorities.

“These forces (SPLA-IO) are for peace and they were supposed to be taken for training and then for deployment, but there has been a delay. I want to assure you that they are for peace,” Welebe said.

Panyume, under SPLA-IO control since the 2016 conflict, awaits the second phase of training, unification, and deployment as part of the SSPDF.