Residents in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state expressed concern at ‘mounting tensions’ between government forces and defected troops in the state.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Wednesday, several citizens said they heard from relatives serving in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) that they were instructed by top leadership to repel an imminent rebel assault.
This latest military development in Upper Nile came after the SPLM/A-in-Opposition of Riek Machar continued to boycott the new round of talks in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Sources indicated that the government in Juba obtained military information saying the rebels are preparing to launch an attack on government positions in Nassir town in Upper Nile state in an tempt to retake it.
Intelligence information obtained by the SPLA alleges that the rebels have reorganized, recruited, and retrained their forces since the cessation of hostilities signed in May.
Radio Tamazuj could not reach the rebels in the area to comment on the allegations.
Four Freedoms discussion
Separately, South Sudanese Interior Minister Aleu Ayang Aleu who is visiting the Sudanese capital Khartoum accused defected troops of violating the truce, claiming the rebels are divided into groups, which complicated any endeavor to reach a sustainable peace in the south Sudan.
Aleu reiterated his government’s commitment to implement the ceasefire agreement with the rebels.
In a statement, the minister also confirmed his government’s recommitment to implement the Joint Cooperation Agreements signed with Khartoum in September 2012, including the Four Freedoms and the opening of border crossing points that facilitate mutual trade.
For breaking news updates from Radio Tamazuj ‘like’ our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our RSS feed.