South Sudan's Minister of Defense Kuol Manyang Juuk has downplayed the significance of a rebel attack on Nhialdiu near Bentiu early this week, saying should not halt peace implementation.

Speaking at the parliament yesterday, Kuol said that rebel leader Riek Machar is serious about peace and the rebel ceasefire violation in Nhialdiu may have been a result of poor communications between those forces and the rebel headquarters.

The defense minister also assured the security of Machar and other exiled opposition politicians once they return to Juba, saying those who are questioning whether they will be safe in Juba do not want peace.

On Monday this week, Wirial Pok Baluang, press secretary of the rebel-appointed governor of Lich (Unity) State, told Radio Tamazuj that the opposition fighters captured Nhialdiu area that same morning.

“We have captured the strategic town of Nhialdiu which is near Bentiu. The attackers have run to Bentiu now, we are in Nhiladiu as I speak, Lieutenant Colonel Lok Tang is in Nhialdiu with his forces now,” he said.

The rebel official accused Salva Kiir’s forces of having attacked their positions in the area.

For his part, SPLA spokesman Col. Philip Aguer confirmed that SPLM/A-In Opposition forces had captured Nhialdiu area. He accused the SPLA-IO rebels of violating the ceasefire agreement signed by the two warring parties.