SPLA-IO, pro-government forces clash near Maiwut

January 25, 2020 Newsbeat

SPLA-IO forces holds up their guns during military parade in Juba before J1 dogfight

January 25th, 2020 (SSNN)—South Sudan’s main armed opposition troops, SPLA-IO, and PMPC forces clashed on Friday in Yieth-Yier – a village located along the Sobat River, near Maiwut but no casualties have been reported so far on either side.

Buom Gatdet Gach, PMPC’s Head of Information confirmed the clashes between the two rival forces in the area.

“In reference to a letter I wrote on 19 January 2020, it became clear on 24 January 2020 at 3:00-4:30pm, that the insurgent forces of the SPLM-IO from Malual had carried out an attack on our position at Yiethyier-Machar with the intention to block the civilian population from accessing the Sobat River, but they were repulsed back to Bethlehem by our gallant forces,” said Buom.

Buom explained that they were aware that the opposition forces would launch an attack against the PMPC forces after a message was leaked out on social media

“Since last week, they have been mobilizing [forces] to attack the government’s position and this plan was leaked when they wrote a letter saying “We are going somewhere” – a piece of information indicating that they were advancing towards our bases.”

“In this regard, we strongly condemn in the strongest possible terms, this attack on our forces, and call on the international community and ceasefire monitors to probe into these violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. Although we are for peace and wish that peace to prevail in the country, PMPC reserves the rights to self-defense.”

The ongoing violence in Maiwut has been an issue of major concern to the international community and peace guarantors.

On Thursday, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Maiwut and its surrounding areas, which has so far forced thousands to leave their homes.

“There is also a worrying escalation of political violence in Maiwut forcing 8,000 civilians to take refuge in Ethiopia and displacing another 11,000 internally,” said UNMISS chief David Shearer during a briefing.