Rebels and government have accused each other of instigating new violence in Unity State in violation of the ceasefire after fighting broke out in Koch County today.
Col. William Gatjiath Deng, the rebels’ military spokesman at their Pagak headquarters, issued a statement saying that government troops launched attacks on their positions this morning at 6:00 a.m. at Ngapngap, Dhorkuini and Maar payams in Koch County.
“The war lasted for 3 hours but at last, our loyal forces repulse them,” he said.
On the other side, a Unity State minister said that the rebel forces were responsible for the attacks on their positions in Koch County this morning. He accused them of intentionally plunging the state back into violence, also expressing concern for civilians affected by the violence.
According to the government official, the rebel forces are not coordinating well with each other and they are also not understanding the new peace agreement.
Both the Unity State minister and the rebel spokesman called on the IGAD ceasefire monitors to investigate the clashes.
“We further inform the IGAD and its joint verification team to speed up their job to know exactly the moves made by the Juba faction,” said Col. William Gatjiath Deng.
Photo: South Sudan government soldiers in the town of Koch, Unity state, South Sudan, 25 Sept. 2015 (AP)