SPLA-IO soldiers in Unity state accused of ‘robbing’ refugees crossing to Sudan  

BENTIU – Soldiers belonging to South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLA-IO, who are stationed along the Sudan-South Sudan border are reportedly mistreating citizens crossing to Sudan for refugee and medical visits.

Speaking to Sudans Post this morning, a South Sudanese who arrived in Keresana from Bentiu on Saturday last week said troops loyal to General Simon Maguek Gai, the commander of SPLA-IO’s forces in Unity state, robbed him along with others who crossed with him from Bentiu to Heglig over the weekend.

“Now I am speaking to you in Keresana, here in Sudan. I came from Rubkona (Bentiu) last week on Saturday and when I crossed, they are there robbing and taxing people and they took my money all,” the South Sudanese refugee said on condition of anonymity.

“I was coming to Sudan to seek treatment because there are no better medical treatments in South Sudan. The money I came with have been taken on the road by the SPLA-IO soldiers and now I am stuck in Keresana waiting for my relatives to send money from Rubkona,” he said, adding that “I don’t know when they will send the money given the situation I left.”

Other South Sudanese in Kosti also told Sudans Post that they experienced similar treatment by the SPLA-IO soldiers with one person saying he was taxed for 6000 SDG to be allowed to enter Sudan by the opposition forces.

“This is true and this is alarming because this is not what they should do. They said they are freedom fighters and their cause should be to protect us, and not to take out money. To arrive her in Keresana where my children are, they took 6000 SDG from me for what they said is permit to Sudan,” he said.

“This is very bad and the leadership of [SPLM] IO should bring to account those doing this illegal practice,” he added.

Sudans Post could not independently verify the claims, as calls to SPLA-IO deputy spokesman were unsuccessful.

Many SPLA-IO soldiers are station along the Sudan-South Sudan border.