SPLA-IO denies alleged involvement in Ruweng cattle raids
SPLA-IO deputy spokesman Col. Lam Paul Gabriel addressing a press conference in Juba in 2019 (Photo credit: Radio Tamazuj)
May 31, 2020 (SSNN) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has denied allegations that it was involved in raiding cattle in Ruweng Administrative area.
Last week, the Secretary-General of the defunct Ruweng state Victoriano Ngor Chuang accused the SPLA-IO of aiding civilians from Unity state to attack and raid cattle in parts of Ruweng saying those raids were led by a senior SPLA-IO military general.
However, in a statement, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO deputy spokesman said the reports were not true calling those behind the rumor as anti-peace elements.
“It has come to the knowledge of the SPLA-IO command that its forces in Unity State has been accused of carrying out cattle raids in Pariang and Warrap yesterday 27/05/2020 by some anti peace elements from the defunct Norther Liech and Ruweng State,” Lam wrote on his social media Facebook page.
“This defamatory lies towards the SPLA-IO will not solve the real problem on the ground. The SPLA-IO does not raid cattle. The violence between cattle keeping communities in South Sudan existed long before the SPLA-IO; and therefore, pointing fingers at the SPLA-IO at this peace time, shows how blind we have become in this country,” he added.
He further said the “community violence is the responsibility of every South Sudanese. Solving this unnecessary violences requires a national approach with sincere hearts but not politics.
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