SPLM-IO using Leer armed youth as proxy to wage war on SSPDF, claims Koch Commissioner

JUBA – The County Commissioner of  Koch in Unity State of South Sudan, Bridge General Gordon Koang Biel Char has accused the main armed opposition group, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO)  led by Dr. Riek Machar Teny of using Leer youth as proxies to fight for their political interest.

In a condemnation letter extended to Sudans Post on Wednesday, Gen. Koang accused Machar’s faction of using Dok youth as proxy to achieve its political ambitions.

“The peace spoilers used Dok youths as scapegoats and human shields, who can be fool here that Dok youth doesn’t have firearm and they are the really SPLM IO forces who fought alongside IO since 2013, when youth from Koch and Kitgwang forces retake Mirmir and apprehended one of the SPLM IO General from attackers after he sustained bullets and his legs broken,” Koang said in a statement on Wednesday.

Koang said fighting started at Mir-Mir cantonment areas between the SPLM-IO forces.

“What happened really in Mirmir Payam/Cantonment, was Between SPLM IO themselves, they fought with their officers over administration issues because they turned the cantonment into County administration,” Koang said.

“They fought with General Gatkhor Chuol until they smoke him out from the Mirmir, Gatkhor went and regrouped his soldiers and attacked Mirmir Again, eventually they smoked him again, and this time went and regrouped his forces and declared himself to Kitgwang of Simon Gatwech Dual.”

He condemned the atrocities inflicted on Mir-mir citizens in Koch County.

“We calmed down the situation and people get back to their houses, but the warring factions were engaged in skirmishes of the borders between Koch, Mayindit and Leer, but unfortunately Dr. Riek reshuffled his command in Unity State and promoted those he thought should Spoil the peace, Gen. Gatgok Khor as Div.4B commander and Lt. Gen. Ruot Chuol as sector 2 commander,” he said.

“Gatgok snatched out from his home in Koch and Joined Peter Ruot Chuol who mobilize his Nyuon Nuer to come and fight in Mirmir, they mobilize youth from Dok and Nyuong to fight me in Mirmir, they started to shells the area with artilleries and they killed many innocent people in Mirmir,” he added.

He claimed that Machar’s forces killed 90 years-old blind man who cannot even stands alone, adding that they brutally kill him and beheaded his head and his arms.

“We managed to escape, they moved on and killed whoever is alive including 90 years an old man who is blind and cannot even stands alone, they brutally kill him and beheaded his head and his arms, and they loots all properties cows and goats after some hours Kitgwang forces and hungry youth retake, Mirmir and persuaded the attackers until their hideout,” he said.

He welcomed fact finding committee formed by President Kiir recently to probe the root cause of the conflict and expose warmongers.

“I am happy that President formed facts finding committee to investigate the roots causes and expose Warmongers, I condemn SPLM IO for their leadership failure, I knew Dr. Riek gave instructions after formation of States Government to dissolve all SPLM IO administrators’ structures and gave administration to newly government authority in their controlled areas,” he said.

He accused the State SPLM IO leadership in Unity State of failing to have cordial working harmony with state government and counties local authorities.