![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?resize=639%2C300&quality=89&ssl=1)
In a statement this afternoon, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO spokesman, said their position came under attack from SPLA-IO Kitgwang forces on Thursday morning in Atar Ardeb as well as in the surrounding villages where civilians are camped.
“Yesterday the 29th/09/2022 at about 10:30AM, the negative forces of Kitgwang cowardly carried out random and indiscriminate shelling against the SPLA-IO position of Atar Ardeb and the surrounding villages where civilians settled causing panic and further civilian displacement in Upper Nile State,” the statement said.
“It should be clearly noted that the Kitgwang faction signed a defection Agreement with the SPLM-IG making them part and partial of R-ARCSS. Therefore, their continuous attacks against the SPLA-IO positions and also their free movement to and for IG controlled areas shows an intention to destabilize Upper Nile State in particular and South Sudan at large,” the statement added.
The statement further denied claims by Ayod County commissioner that the main armed opposition group was mobilizing for war against the Shilluk Community, saying the SPLM-IO which is governing the Upper Nile state cannot destroy its government and communities.
“The SPLA-IO would also like to respond to the wild allegations made by Hon. James Chuol Jiek Bol, the County Commissioner of Ayod on 21/09/2022, that the SPLA-IO is mobilizing to wage war against the Shilluk community,” the statement said.
“This is not only a fallacy but also tribal politics at play. Upper Nile State is being governed by the SPLM-IO leadership and cannot be destroyed by its forces. What’s happening in Upper Nile State is a communal violence with the aim of destroying the SPLA-IO and reducing the powers of Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon (PhD),” it added.
It further said that “The SPLA-IO is currently focused on graduation of the NUF and preparation for phase two (2) of the Transitional Security Arrangement.”
Col Lam Paul , There is no denial that all the SPLA IO are negative forces whether under DR Riek or Kitguang faction plus , your geediness had victimized the innocents people in Greater Upper Nile since 2013 up to now . The ambition of the SPLM/A IO is to install their leader by all means and cost, no complains you go ahead beating the foolishness out until when you realize that you are following wrong leader’s path of destructions to the people of Upper Nile