At least ten soldiers were killed and 21 injured in an ambush in Upper Nile, South Sudan. The army blamed the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by Vice President Riek Machar. Opposition spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel denied involvement, claiming the army attacked civilians first. The incident highlights growing tensions amid a fragile political environment following a government reshuffle.
On February 16, the army of South Sudan reported that ten soldiers were killed and 21 injured following an ambush executed by armed youths in the Upper Nile state. This incident occurred at 3 a.m. in the town of Nasir, as stated by army spokesperson Lul Ruai Kong. He attributed the attack to a faction of the opposition party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
Lul Ruai Kong further accused SPLM-IO, led by Vice President Riek Machar, of inciting local youths to assault military positions. He expressed that this violence was orchestrated with the intention of exacerbating divisions among the community. The army claims to possess sufficient evidence to present to the ceasefire monitoring committee, aiming to hold the opposition responsible for the incident.
Despite these allegations, opposition spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel refuted Kong’s claims, insisting their forces were not involved in the ambush. Gabriel argued that instead, they had not incited aggression and contended that the local population’s disturbances were a reaction to an earlier attack on civilians by government forces.
Currently, troops from both the army and the opposition jointly share control of Nasir. In recent weeks, there have been additional clashes in various regions of South Sudan, particularly in the southwest, amidst ongoing political instability. This unrest follows a reshuffle in the government by President Kiir and delays in the fulfillment of the 2018 peace agreement, contributing to the nation’s precarious political climate.
The recent ambush resulting in the deaths of ten soldiers in South Sudan highlights the ongoing tensions between government forces and opposition factions. Accusations exchanged between army representatives and opposition leaders illustrate the deepening divisions and political instability in the country. As clashes continue across regions, the need for accountability and resolution remains critical to restoring peace and unity in South Sudan.
Original Source: efe.com
