Juba protests IGAD's reluctance to condemn rebel attacks
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October 18, 2014 (JUBA) - South Sudan government said it was disappointment
with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) reluctance to
hold rebels accountable for the recent military clashes that occurred in
Upper Nile state.
The South Sudanese embassy in Kenya, in a statement extended to Sudan
Tribune, urged regional leaders through the mediators, to impose sanctions
on those obstructing the peace process as earlier promised as part of the
peace process.
"Riek and his men have violated this process several times, but we have not
seen any attention against them by IGAD. Despite all these attacks launched
by rebels, IGAD has been promptly informed but as usual, no condemnation of
the perpetuators has come from IGAD to this moment", partly reads the
statement.
The statement also denied reports alleging Ugandan soldiers were killed by
rebels in Upper Nile.
"The embassy of the republic of South Sudan categorically, wants to inform
that, Riek's men have run out of their steam. No single Uganda soldier
exists in Upper Nile state; leave alone their imaginary male and female tank
drivers", it adds.
The South Sudanese army (SPLA) said last week's attacks allegedly by rebel
forces were reported to the regional bloc mediating peace talks between the
warring parties.
SPLA spokesman Col. Philip Aguer told reporters that IGAD had been informed
of the separate attacks on government position, saying the incidents clearly
constituted a violation of the ceasefire agreement signed by both sides in
January and recommitted to in May.
International monitors have accused both sides of violating the terms of the
shaky agreement, although government and rebel forces have vehemently denied
these accusations.
"These violations of course have been reported to the IGAD monitoring team
that is here in Juba," said Aguer.
"We have to inform the IGAD because IGAD and other international monitors
blindly condemn the two parties in the conflict in South Sudan due to
ignorance about the realities of who is attacking who," he added.
The fighting erupted in two locations of Doleib Hills, south of Upper Nile
state capital Malakal, and Al-caap-al-nil or Zinc.
The attacks came less a week after IGAD-led peace talks aimed at ending the
political crisis were adjourned in Ethiopia.