BREAKING: SSPDF launches fresh attack on SPLA-IO base near Yei

South Sudan army soldiers in unidentified area in Central Equatoria state (Photo by REUTERS)

JUBA – South Sudan’s army has on Thursday morning launched a fresh attack against forces of the main armed opposition group and peace partner, SPLA-IO, according to a statement by the group’s deputy spokesman.

Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel, the deputy spokesman of the SPLA-IO who is is Juba, said the attack was commanded by General Moses Lokujo who defected from the group to join the SSPDF in September.

“This morning the 26/11/2020, at about 6:00am, the defected force of Maj. Gen. Moses Lokujo who is now under the command and control of the SSPDF attacked the SPLA-IO component of Protection force for Morota Unified Training Centre, in complete violation of the permanent ceasefire,” the statement seen by Sudans Post reads in part.

The statement said the attack resulted in the killing of one SPLA-IO soldier and wounding of two others saying the fighting continues.

The main armed opposition group further urged the SSPDF to cease attacks against the group and also appealed to security mechanisms established under the revitalized peace agreement to step in to address these attacks.

“The SPLA-IO leadership calls upon the SSPDF command to restrain Maj. Gen. Lokuj (who is currently under the command and control of the SSPDF), from the continuous aggression against the SPLA-IO forces in the greater Yei area,” he said.

“It should also be noted that the forces in Morota Training Centre are not only SPLA-IO forces but a component of the unified forces under the command and control of the JTSC and JDB. Therefore,  attacking this force is not only a violation but a direct attack against the Security Arrangement in particular and the R-ARCSS in general.

“The SPLA-IO therefore, calls upon the CTSAMVM and JDB to investigate this violation and bring those responsible to book as soon as possible.”