Mayandit County Commissioner Ruai Gai was killed by Riek Machar’s rebels during fighting around Bentiu town Friday, the Unity state government’s spokesperson said.
Speaking to El Maugif newspaper, Information Minister Peter Makuoth Malual confirmed that Guai was killed on Friday during fighting between government troops and rebels but denied rumors that some state ministers were captured by opposition fighters.
“Such claims are mere lies,” he said.
Malual claimed the SPLA-Juba forces loyal to President Salva Kiir are now in full control of Bentiu town after flushing out the rebels, adding that they inflicted heavy losses on the insurgents.
Malual reiterated his government’s commitment to respecting the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on 9 May.
Mayom attack Sunday
Separately, County Commissioner John Bol told Radio Tamazuj that the rebels launched an attack Sunday morning on Bouth but were repulsed by government forces.
Bol said that the attack left a dozen dead from the rebel side and seven government soldiers wounded, though Radio Tamazuj could not independently verify these figures.
Sudan supporting rebels?
Bol accused the Khartoum government of backing the rebels.
Spokesman of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Col. Al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad denied those claims.
He said Machar’s recent visit to Khartoum is part of the mediation between the conflicting parties in South Sudan.
Saad said that Sudan has received similar visits by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his defense minister in the same context, reiterating that Khartoum does support any party against the other.
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