15 SPLA-IO soldiers escaped from custody in their base in South Sudan’s Gbudue State last week, a military commander said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the SPLA-IO division commander in the state, James Naando said the soldiers escaped with four guns from custody on Thursday last week and are currently committing crimes in neighboring Tambura State.

He said the 15 soldiers were freed by their relatives at night.

“I call on SPLA-IO troops to work for peace; no peace can be achieved through the barrel of a gun. If you need a rank or promotion, go through peace and negotiations,” Naando said.

The SPLA-IO commander claimed that the soldiers who escaped from jail plan to form a new faction and have been looting civilians on the way to Tambura.

He urged all the armed opposition forces to distance themselves from all crimes as they prepare for training.

For his part, Tambura State information minister, Anikumbo Mathew Aime confirmed the arrival of the 15 soldiers in the state, but said they could not be disarmed as they scattered into the bush on their way to Namatina area.

He urged the public to be calm as both the government and SPLA-IO try to arrest the criminal group causing fear among communities in Tambura.

The process of gathering fighters into military training camps with a view to forming a unified army has started in many parts of the country.

The rival parties have twice failed to form a unity government, first in May 2019 and then in November the same year, when they agreed to give themselves100 days to resolve disputed issues and form a transitional government by 22 February 2020.