The spokesman of the SPLA-IO Agwelek forces led by Johnson Olony has refuted a report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) of a military build-up of the forces in Upper Nile State to launch attacks.
On Wednesday this week, UNMISS said it was concerned about reports of movement and mobilization of Agwelek forces in Upper Nile State and urged them to refrain from any actions or movements that might pose threats to civilians and affect humanitarian operations in Upper Nile and Northern Jonglei.
However, in a rebuttal, Yousif Paulo told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that the report is false and insisted that his forces are in their defensive positions.
“Our forces are stationed in their places and have not moved since we signed the security arrangements agreement with the government,” he said. “The United Nations Mission should not publish false information to destabilize the security of citizens.”
“We affirm that we are committed to peace and the security arrangements agreement that we signed with the government and are currently going well,” he noted.
Paulo said if there are any movements, Agwelek forces are moving within their territory and not launch attacks.
“No one can stop us from moving within our regions, and the army must move, but not to launch attacks,” he assured. “We renew our appeal to the United Nations Mission not to publish false information that impedes the security of citizens.”
On Tuesday, the Troika (the United Kingdom, Norway, and the United States) released a statement raising concerns about indications of preparations for renewed fighting in Upper Nile State.
They called on the country’s leadership to act to prevent fresh violence and find peaceful sustainable solutions.