Agwelek force raises concern over SPLA troop movements in Upper Nile

The Shilluk militia in Upper Nile State known as Aguelek force, which is designated as a division of SPLA-IO in the state, has complained of SPLA troop movements, fearing possible attack.

The Shilluk militia in Upper Nile State known as Aguelek force, which is designated as a division of SPLA-IO in the state, has complained of SPLA troop movements, fearing possible attack.

Aguelek forces control most of the west bank of the Nile in the state under the command of General Johnson Olony, since his defection from the government army in April 2015.

Major Gen Nyagwal Ajak Deng, the group’s spokesman, told Radio Tamazuj that the South Sudanese government has been transporting heavily armed troops recently from Malakal to the west bank in Ditang, Lelo and Wadjwok areas.

He accused the government of planning to attack Shilluk areas in order to cause instability. Nyagwal also reported similar movements of the SPLA force in Renk in order to attack their positions in Wadakona area.

For his part, Santo Domingo, deputy spokesman of the SPLA in Juba, dismissed these claims outright. “No, there nothing like that, we do not have any movements there as we speak” he said when contacted by Radio Tamazuj yesterday.