South Sudan army urges region to designate Cirilo as ‘negative force’

JUBA – South Sudan army on Friday urged regional powers to designation the country’s rebel National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka as a ‘negative force’ following an attack in which two people were kidnapped on early in the morning.

In a statement Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the army spokesman, said an aid convoy belonging to the World Food Programme (WFP) which was heading to Morobo County from Yei River County in Central Equatoria state was attacked by elements loyal to NAS.

The army spokesman said the attack resulted in the killing of one of the drivers of the three-vehicle convoy, wounding of one person, and the kidnapping of the three people.

In that same statement, Maj. Gen. Ruai urged the regional bodies to designate National Salvation Front as a negative force that disturbs peace in the world’s youngest country.

“The attack on convoy resulted in one of the drivers getting killed, two others were abducted, and another person sustained injuries after their vehicle veered off the road and overturned in confusion that ensued. One vehicle was burned,” he said.

“SSPDF GHQs condemns NAS’s continuous attacks on none Military targets and in that regards urges regional and international bodies to designate NAS as a negative force that poses a huge threat to peace and security in the horn of Africa and beyond,” he added.