South Sudan’s warring SPLM-Juba faction claims that forces loyal to the rival SPLM-IO have prevented civilians from crossing the frontline in Ayod County of Jonglei.
Micheal Buoth Malual, commissioner for Ayod loyal to the SPLM-Juba faction, said that ‘rebels’ that surrounded the county capital would not allow civilians to come for treatment which he claimed was available in the town. The official said that there is not good medical treatment in the rebel-controlled areas.
Buoth alleged that the opposition forces shoot at civilians coming to Ayod trying to stop them from coming to the town.
SPLA-Juba forces remain garrisoned in the town while the SPLA-IO control the countryside. However, he said Ayod County is relatively calm.
The commissioner also stated that youths from Ayod in SPLA-IO controlled territory have rejected mobilizations by the rebels three times and now the SPLA-IO are using cattle from the youths as their food and still seeking to mobilize them.
He called on the rebels under Commander Gabriel Duop to allow civilians to be able to move freely and to stop mobilization of young children.