South Sudan’s government army spokesperson denied accusations from the rebels that its troops have raped women and used land mines.
On Monday in Ugandan capital Kampala the rebels released a press statement accusing the troops loyal to President Salva Kiir in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states of raping women and planting land mines in communities where they have station garrisons.
“The government soldiers…plant land mines in roads connecting the villages leading to these garrisons,” read a statement signed by Mabior Garang Mabior, chairman of the SPLM-In Opposition National Committee for Information and Publicity. “The casualties, those killed and maimed are mainly women and children; the use of these land mines has been reported and UNMISS can bear witness to this fatalities.”
Mabior further alleged that “gang rapping [sic] of women and girls have consistently been committed by their reconnaissance patrols” and that the garissons restrict access of food aid to civilians.
In response, acting spokesman for Kiir’s SPLA-Juba Joseph Marier said that South Sudan’s army had rid itself of land mines.
“Since 2005 the mines we have in the stores were exploded since we got independent,” he said. “If Mabior Garang said UNMISS knows then they should come to confirm…what have said by Mabior are lies.”
Marier said allegations of rape by government soldiers was incitement by the rebels.
“Concerning the relief aid, to me I don’t really understand why rebels said SPLA refused to deliver foods to its people whom they are fighting for,” Marier continued. He asked why would a government stop food from reaching its people and then accused the rebels of restricting aid access to its territories.
Photo: Mabior Garang speaking to the press at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, 8 January 2014 (Radio Tamazuj)
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