SPLA-IO accuses Leer, Koch commissioners of mobilizing for full-scale war

JUBA – A senior South Sudan opposition commander has accused the commissioners of Leer and Koch counties of mobilizing to launch further attacks on their bases in Leer, a day after fighting erupted in the area, displacing hundreds of residents.

This development follows the killing of a senior army commander allied to General Simon Maguek Gai during fighting in which the SPLA-IO accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of initiating.

Speaking to Sudans Post, SPLA-IO Division 4B Commander Maj. Gen. Gatgok Khor Riaka alleged that the two commissioners are mobilizing armed youth from different areas of southern Unity State and are planning attacks on their positions.

“As I am speaking to you now, the Leer and Koch county commissioners are mobilizing army youths specifically to attack us at our Rubkong new cantonment site and Kaigai Payam in Leer,” he told Sudans Post from the field this morning.

He expressed concerns over continued silence of peace guarantors who he said have not condemned yesterday’s attack by General Simon Maguek’s.

“Yesterday’s attacks indicate that there is no peace because no one condemned that meaningless fighting,” he said.

General Gatgok reiterated the allegations that the two counties are mobilizing armed youths to launch another offensive attack against SPLM-IO Division 4B.

“There is no peace because they are calling Koch army youths to reinforce them because we repulsed them yesterday. In yesterday’s fighting, we only had a few casualties, and we killed their ground force commander with the rank of brigadier general,” he said.

He warned that fighting will escalate to Leer town if General Simon Maguek Gai Majak and the Leer county commissioner attack their bases again.

When contacted by Sudans Post, Leer County Commissioner Stephen Taker Riak Dong said that the fighting ended yesterday and denied that he is mobilizing armed youth to attack SPLA-IO.

Taker distanced himself from the fighting, stating that the clashes were between SPLA-IO forces and its defectors under the command of General Simon Maguek Gai, who crossed to the SSPDF from the main armed opposition group in early October.