Rival forces clash in Koch despite ceasefire declaration

File photo: UNMISS/Isaac Billy/Flickr

Fresh clashes have erupted between South Sudan government forces and rebels in Koch County in Unity state this morning, days after President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar ordered their forces to cease hostilities.

Fresh clashes have erupted between South Sudan government forces and rebels in Koch County in Unity state this morning, days after President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar ordered their forces to cease hostilities.

Today’s fighting breaks a truce aimed to cease hostilities and enable urgent food supplies to reach suffering people across the country. The agreement on cessation of hostilities signed in Ethiopia last week came into effect today morning.

Rebel spokesman Paul Lam Gabriel told Radio Tamazuj today that government troops in Koch County Centre attacked their positions in Bieh Payam today morning, but they were repulsed.

He also claimed that the government forces have been bombarding their defensive positions in Yei County in the Equatoria region today morning.

“These are all acts against the peace process as the government in Juba wants the SPLA-IO to respond so that war continues,” he said.

Lam Tungwar, information minister in Northern Liech state, confirmed that fighting erupted in Koch County this morning.

Instead, he accused the rebels of attacking their defensive positions in the area this morning. “This shows the rebels of Riek Machar are not for peace,” he said.