![Gen. Simon Maguek Gai being flanked by armed soldiers after arrival in Leer town, leer County, Unity State, on Thursday, October 12, 2023. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-24-at-6.12.17-PM-1.jpeg?resize=1009%2C507&quality=89&ssl=1)
Speaking to Sudans Post on phone, Riak asserted that the SPLA-IO, not General Simon Maguek’s forces, initiated the attack.
Riak’s statement directly challenges the SPLA-IO’s claim that they were acting in self-defense against an assault by SSPDF and allied militias.
He described the situation as volatile and urged both parties to withdraw to their respective positions to allow for a return to normalcy.
“The forces of Simon Maguek were in their barracks when those SPLA-IO came and attacked them in the morning,” Riak explained.
“We are in communication now, and we will call back Simon Maguek’s forces and tell the SPLA-IO to go back. This way, the people can return to their homes, and the situation can normalize,” he added.
Riak expressed concern for the well-being of civilians affected by the fighting and accused the SPLA-IO of preventing civilians from fighting.
“They (SPLA-IO) are now blocking the civilians and we just talked to them that let the community be free,” he stated.
He confirmed that he has informed the governor of the situation and that the matter will be escalated to the presidency.
Fighting this morning erupted at Kaigai village, 10 KM east of Leer town, displacing an unknown number of civilians.
The village – since outbreak of war in December 2013 – has been under the control of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO).
SPLA-IO Division 4B commander Gatgok Riak told Sudans Post earlier this morning that a joint force of SSPDF and allied militias belonging to former SPLA-IO commander Simon Maguek Gai launched attack on Kaigai, sparking a fierce fighting.
