Gov’t official claims Olony’s forces allowed by army to attack civilians in Fangak, Pigi countries

JUBA – A senior government official in Upper Nile state’s capital Malakal has just told Sudans Post that forces of Agwelek rebel group led by General Johnson Olony Thabo have been given greenlight by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to go and attack Fangak and Pigi Counties.

The government announced earlier this week that there is an ongoing operation by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to clear out armed youth who have crossed from neighboring Jonglei State to attack civilians in northern Upper Nile’s Shilluk Kingdom.

“I have information, a very credible one, that they have been given greenlight by the SSPDF to go and attack civilians or SPLA-IO bases in Fangak and Pigi Counties. So, they are currently preparing in a place called Ukot and there is high probability to cross the Nile tonight,” the official said.

The officials who is a member of the main armed opposition SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny further said he is not aware as to if the group is a part of the ongoing operations to clear out armed civilians from the Shilluk Kingdom.

“Currently yes there is an operation conducted by the SSPDF to protect civilians in the Shilluk Kingdom against attacks from armed youth from Jonglei state and the SPLA-IO is supposed to be a part of this operation but I am not sure if this the case,” he added.

“So, it is a very huge concern that the Agwelek militia is a part of this operation especially when they are allowed to cross the river Nile. So, the government need to do something if individuals in the SSPDF have allowed those militias to cross,” he added.