Kuol Manyang Juuk, South Sudan’s Minister of Defense has blamed sons of Upper Nile region for instigating the civil war in December 2013, saying they also contributed to the destruction of Upper Nile and displacement of citizens.

Addressing a crowd of citizens in Yei town, Minister Kuol urged the people of Yei to learn from the incidents that took place in Malakal, Bentiu and Bor towns where local residents were forced to flee their areas.

Kuol, who hails from the Upper Nile region, warned the people of Yei River State against repeating such a mistake their area, besides the use of young people to fight for political ambitions.

The official criticized the presence of the SPLA army inside Yei town, describing it as a “big mistake”. However, he said that the SPLA forces remained in the town because members of the police decided to rebel against the government.

According to the defense ministry, the ongoing abuses being perpetrated by the SPLA against innocent people in Yei will not be in the army's interest in the area.

He noted that out that they received complaints from Yei citizens about crimes being committed by the SPLA in the area, while urging the SPLA to stop committing any crimes in all parts of South Sudan.

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