The former Western Equatoria State Governor Joseph Bagasi Bakasoro has denied any deal with the country’s former army chief Paul Malong to fight against the government, describing the allegations as "lies."
South Sudan government last week declared Paul Malong a rebel after audio tapes leaked on social media, alleging that Malong instructed his supporters to attack the towns of Aweil, Wau and Juba.
According to the audio tapes recorded in the Dinka language, Malong and prominent opposition leaders including Bangasi Bakasoro agreed to topple Kiir’s government.
The former governor turned opposition leader made the remark in an interview with Radio Tamazuj this afternoon from Uganda where he had gone for a family visit.
“I want to say that I haven’t gone to attend any meeting in Nairobi, so it is a lie. If there is an audio tape of Malong saying we have agreed to fight the government of South Sudan, it is also a lie.” Bakasoro said.
The South Sudanese politician, who is leading an opposition group calling itself South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC), said the audio tape of Paul Malong could be a fake recording. “I want to reaffirm that I haven’t met with Malong, and we haven’t agreed to fight the government,” he said.
“I admit that I am opposing the government of South Sudan because things are not going on well,” he added.
The opposition leader reiterated his group’s commitment to the revitalization process of the 2015 peace agreement. “If Malong is the one who talked in the audio tape, he didn’t inform me about it. If someone made a fake recording of Malong’s voice, I am not aware,” he said
Violation of the ceasefire deal
Former Governor Bakasoro accused the government of South Sudan of launching attacks on opposition groups despite the signed cessation of hostilities deal. “The government is still carrying out attacks on SPLA-IO areas in Upper Nile, Equatoria and other areas. I am still calling on the parties to respect the ceasefire agreement,” he said.
Bakasoro also urged the government of South Sudan to release all war prisoners and political detainees held during four years of civil war, after the 14-day deadline agreed in the ceasefire agreement by the warring parties on 21 December 2018, in Ethiopia on the release of prisoners of war being held on both sides elapsed since last week.
Bakasoro declined to say whether he commands rebel forces on the ground or not. The opposition leader said he does not have supporters captured by the government. “I urge all the parties to release the prisoners of war and political detainees to create a conducive environment for the peace talks,” he said.
Bakosoro was removed by President Salva Kiir shortly before the signing of the power-sharing agreement with rebel leader Riek Machar in 2015. The ousted Western Equatoria governor was jailed following his removal by presidential decree, but later was allowed to leave the country and declared a new rebel movement in January 2017.