Kiir waging ‘proxy war’ to derail peace process in Unity State, says SPLA-IO says

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) has accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of waging a proxy war in Unity state to derail the implementation process of the revitalized peace agreement they signed in 2018.

Last week, the SPLA-IO faction led by former SPLA-IO chief of military staff Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, said it was attacked by the SPLA-IO forces from Mirmir cantonment site of Koch County of Unity state and said it responded by capturing Mirmir which it claimed was being used as a launching pad for attacks by the SPLA-IO.

But in a statement, SPLA-IO spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel claimed that the attack was launched by South Sudan People’s Defense Forces commanded by Koch County Executive Director Guor Gatkuoth Ruot and that it is a proxy war by the SPLM-IG in a bid to derail t6he implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.

“Mirmir cantonment site was attacked by IG forces led by Koch County Executive Director, Guor Gatkuoth Ruot and SSPDF officer by name of Tap Dor Dak under the command of Koch County Commissioner. However, the attackers were repulsed by the SPLA-IO,” Col. Lam said in a statement dated February 10.

“The same forces came back this morning the 11th February, 2022 and launched another aggressive attack in Mirmir,” he added.

He said “what is happening in Mirmir cantonment site is a Proxy War by IG in an attempt to weaken the SPLA-IO and also if possible derail the R-ARCSS for their own political gain.”

“Therefore, the notion that the Kitgwang elements attacked Mirmir cantonment site is just a deterrent to hide the real truth on the ground,” he added.