SPLA-IO denies involvement in Abiemnom attack, says gov’t politicizing violence

JUBA — South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) on Sunday denied involvement in a deadly attack on civilians in Ruweng Administrative Area, accusing Unity State authorities of politicizing the violence after state officials blamed opposition forces for the assault.

The SPLA-IO statement came hours after Unity State authorities alleged that opposition fighters were responsible for the early morning attack on Abiemnom County, which left at least two senior local officials, nine soldiers and dozens of civilians dead, while homes, markets and government facilities were burned.

Unity State Information Minister Nyakenya Johannes Keah said the attackers were “combined IO elements,” rejecting claims that armed youth from Mayom County, commonly known as the White Army, carried out the assault.

She said troops from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) 4^th Infantry Division engaged the attackers and lost nine soldiers while protecting civilians.

In response, SPLA-IO Sector Two spokesman Major Kerbino Yai Pazale issued a statement from Tong denying any role by opposition forces and accusing Unity State authorities of attempting to shift blame.

“We categorically reject allegations linking the SPLA-IO to the attacks against civilians in Abiemnom,” Pazale said. “Our forces stationed in Kubri Jamus remain in their designated positions and have not conducted any military operation targeting civilian populations.”

He said the SPLA-IO remained a disciplined force committed to the protection of civilians and compliance with international humanitarian law.

“The SPLA-IO respects civilian life and strictly adheres to the laws of war governing armed conflict. The protection of innocent civilians remains a fundamental principle guiding our conduct, and we do not tolerate violations against non-combatants under any circumstances,” he added.

Pazale condemned the killings in Abiemnom, describing the attack as a serious violation of human rights that threatens stability in the Ruweng Administrative Area, an oil-producing region that has experienced repeated security incidents in recent years.

“We strongly condemn the attacks carried out against civilians and local authorities in Abiemnom,” he said, adding that attempts to associate the opposition movement with the violence were “false, politically motivated, and intended to deflect responsibility from the actual perpetrators.”

The SPLA-IO further called on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the international community to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

“We call upon UNMISS to carry out an independent and transparent investigation to ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable in accordance with the law,” Pazale said.

Authorities in the Ruweng Administrative Area earlier blamed armed youth from neighboring Mayom County and elements of SPLA-IO for the assault, saying attackers struck Abiemnom at dawn and burned large parts of the town, displacing residents and destroying markets and government facilities.