SPLA-IO laments description as rebel group

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLA-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has described the being referred to by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) as a rebel group saying it violates the revitalized peace agreement.

Yesterday, SSPDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement extended to Sudans Post that the main armed opposition group was mobilizing fighters in eastern Upper Nile state to continue war in order to regain control of areas it recently lost to the army.

He accused top opposition commanders such as General Peter Thuok Chuol of standing behind mobilization campaign to recruit civilians into the ‘rebel’ group led by Machar who is also the First Vice President of the country.

But in reaction, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the spokesman of the SPLA-IO, said the allegation is unfounded and it was a ploy by the SSPDF to justify preparations to attack several SPLA-IO positions in Upper Nile state.

He said the description of the SPLA-IO as a rebel group does not only violate the implementation process of the security arrangements provisions given in the revitalized peace agreement, but a show of lack of will from the SSPDF to implement the agreement in letter and spirit.

“Secondly, referring to the SPLA-IO as rebel is not only a violation but also a clear lack of political will and a deep rooted hatred against the SPLA-IO by the our peace partner the SSPDF,” Lam said in a statement on Sunday evening.

“This alone is a justified intention of the SSPDF to attack the SPLA-IO positions in the aforementioned areas,” the senior SPLA-IO officer said.