![SPLA-IO deputy spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel speaks to media about the progress and challenges facing the transitional security arrangement in Juba on October 2, 2019. [Photo by Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/gettyimages-1173073967-612x612-1.jpg?ssl=1)
Fighting in Mayom County has been escalating after a July 19 attack on Mayom town by General Buay’s forces resulting in the gruesome murder of at least 12 people including the Mayom County commissioner Maj. Gen. Chuol Gatluak Manimeh.
Fierce fighting also took place on Tuesday at a remote village near the Unity State-Warrap border after Gen. Buay’s forces attacked an army convoy carrying military supplies to Mayom from the capital Juba resulting in the killing of at least 40 people.
But yesterday, Unity State information minister Gai Jijior claimed that Gen. Buay has no too much presence in Unity State and that the attack on Mayom town was carried out with help from SPLA-IO soldiers who had abandoned training centers in search for food.
When contacted by Sudans Post, SPLA-IO spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel dismissed the claim as ‘baseless’ and said the main armed opposition group is a peace partner to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
“That is a complete baseless accusation. We are a peace partner to the SSPDF not the forces of Gen. Buay. Whatever is happening in Mayom is strictly between the SSPDF and SSPM/A,” Col. Lam said in Juba on Wednesday.
The senior SPLA-IO officer further stressed the need for the graduation of unified forces saying longer stays in the training centers and cantonment sites may lead to frustration among the soldiers and it would be easy for them to join Gen. Buay’s forces.
“Our concern as a movement is that the longer the NUF stay in the Training Centers, some people who are frustrated may find it easier to join Buay because of lack of political will to implement any agreement,” he added.
