SSPDF troops patrolling the hotspot areas in Upper Nile State, the town bordering neighboring Sudan. |File Photo|.
Stiff tensions rock Juba City, the capital city of South Sudan after several military officers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) and Petroleum Minister, Kang Chuol Puot, were arrested for allegedly breaking the law.
Several sources who spoke to Golden Times described the situation in Juba city as “nerve-wracking,” however, the Michael of Information, Michael Makuei Lueth dismissed the rumours that the situation is tense in the city.
He urged the citizens to dismiss social media reports causing fear and anxiety.
Makuei threatened to get hold of the people spreading what he termed as misinformation and inciting violence in the country.
He called on the journalists to verify the allegations by visiting the alleged hotspots including the residence of First Vice President Riek Machar Teny, to confirm the situation for themselves to inform the citizens accurately.
Riek Machar is the leader of the SPLM/A-IO party, whose army leaders were rounded up and detained at the military general headquarters in Juba.
Minister Makuei accused the SPLM/A-IO of inciting the White Army fighters to attack the army garrisons in Nasir and Ulang counties. He also accused the SPLM/A-IO of sharing sensitive military intelligence with the White Army fighters who overran two military garrisons, captured the military hardware and besieged the army commander in Nasir County.
SPLM/A-IO refuted having links to the White Army fighters in Ulang and Nasir counties of Upper Nile State.
Ter Chuol Gatkuoth, the leader of the White Army fighters said has taken control of Nasir town, following intense fighting with government forces (SSPDF).
Gatkuoth said the White Army lost over 20 fighters. He claimed that many SSPDF soldiers had been killed, with their bodies left on the ground.
SSPDF Spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang has not been responding to phone calls. He wrote on his Facebook that the army headquarters won’t comment to the media regarding the clashes in Nasir and Ulang counties.
The embassies of Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the Delegation of the European Union deplored the hostilities in Upper Nile State, which included significant loss of life.
The international community expressed deep concerns by reports of detentions of senior military and civilian officials and joined IGAD counterparts in calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties and their affiliates to exercise maximum restraint.
The international community called on the Juba-based leaders to demonstrate their commitment to peaceful dialogue and should put the interest of the South Sudanese people first.
