South Sudan soldiers sent near the town of Bor to end a rebellion by suspected Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) fighters have been given a week to end the rebellion, APA can report.
Fighting has been raging in the east of the country for more than two weeks as SPLA-IO loyalists engaging government troops in the area and occupied some parts of Jonglei state.
SPLA-IO’s leader, suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar, is currently on trial on charges of murder, treason and crimes against humanity, which he denies.
Gen Paul Nang Majok who heads the defense forces told thousands of government troops deployed around the trouble spot that they have been given seven days to recapture the areas under the control of the rebels whose leader Riek Machar is detained and faces trial over treason. He was the first vice president to President Salva Kiir in a power-sharing government formed following a peace deal in 2018.
South Sudan had witnessed instability since the country’s gained independence from Sudan in 2011. The latest unrest has sparked fears of a return to civil conflict.
Sources say SPLA-IO fighters had stepped up their military activity to bring pressure to bear on President Kiir’s government to release his political foe Machar who was accused of being the mastermind of a botched coup attempt in December 2013 which plunged the country into civil war.
Meanwhile the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, UNMISS has urged restraint.
WN/as/APA