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S. Sudan Army vows to fight ex-rebels if agression continues

South Sudan

South Sudan’s army vowed to fight former rebels who are participating in a transitional government in the capital if hostilities continue with their insurgent allies in the oil-producing north, former Unity State.

There has been military clashes this week in the Unity state, after the government came under attack, SPLA’s Captain was killed and another wounded, with Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang accussing the insurgents of initiating the violence, in the press conference at the Army headquarter in Juba.

“SPLA-IO’s continued offensive posture during peace time will cause more harm than good and their recklessness might lead to renewed hostilities. It’s completely absurd for SPLA-IO to kill our servicemen in the name of gaining more territory when their purported Commander –in – Chief (C-I-C) is in our territory and serving as 1st vice president,” Koang told the journalists.

“SPLA-IO leader should be honest and admit that he [Riek Machar] is no longer in control of fighters attacking our forces or else we would be forced to play some music to those within our reach,” he added.

“Let the SPLA-IO be serious about the peace agreement – let their commanders, if they still loyal to the first vice president, let them listen to the order from Commander-in-Chief and if the Commander-in-Chief is not in the control, let him be honor to himself and to the people of South Sudan and says those who are still attacking SPLA position in Greater Upper Nile, are not longer loyal to him so that we deal with them,” Koang said.

Despite that, he further reiterated that the government forces are serious and committed to the peace agreement disclosing that they reported a new development to the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), body that was tasked to overseeing the August peace agreement.

He also said they are in dialogue with the leadership of the rebel forces.

Former rebel leader Riek Machar, accompanied by more than 1,370 of his fighters, joined President Salva Kiir to form a transitional administration in Juba at the end of April. The deal seeks to end a 29-month civil war that’s left tens of thousands of people dead and forced 2 million people from their homes.

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