Top army general issues another threat to attack SPLA-IO base near Bentiu

JUBA — South Sudan former opposition commander Gen. Tito Biel Wich has renewed threats to attack SPLA-IO base near Unity State’s capital Bentiu claiming that two of his officers are being held by SPLA-IO forces.

Earlier this month, Gen. Biel threatened to ‘clear’ Dingding, the SPLA-IO base outside Bentiu, from SPLA-IO forces upon failure to handover military equipment allegedly left by him when he defected to joint the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

Last week, General Biel’s forces attempted to attack Dingding ending up attacking Kaljak Payam, 12 kilometres from Dingding resulting in the capture of two of his soldiers during the fighting.

In a statement, General Biel urged the SPLA-IO forces in Dingding to handover the war prisoners and threatens to ‘go’ to Dingding if the request is not immediately implemented.

“The leadership of Joknyang Declaration calls for the immediate release of of Capt. Mago Mun Ruei and Sgt. Makuit Neng Zuor in the quickest time,” General Biel’s spokesman Col. Sacristan Zoal Wal, said in the statement extended to Sudans Post this evening.

The statement said General Biel has withdrawn his forces who intended to attack Dingding and threatened to mobilise his forces if the soldiers are not released.

“With the honor of advise given by many different nonviolent peace makers, he withdrew the forces and waits for the two officers to be released peacefully. But until now! There’s no evidence proving that the SPLA-IO Dingding is in the  process of releasing them,” he said.

“With an enlightenment of the above subject, we’ve given the SPLA-IO Dingding some two days to release them, or else! We will go and get them ourselves,” the statement added.