South Sudan on Wednesday renewed accusations against the Sudanese government that it is providing support with ammunition and logistics to SPLA-IO rebels.
This comes after clashes between government troops and opposition fighters loyal to former First Vice President Riek Machar near the Sudanese border early this week.
Santo Domic Chol, Deputy Military Spokesman, told reporters in Juba on Wednesday that the SPLA-IO rebels are receiving support and training from Sudan’s army, saying Khartoum allowed senior South Sudanese rebel commanders to coordinate their operations in the Sudanese territory.
“The security situation in Northern Upper Nile state is deteriorating since the 9th of this month, the rebels launched attacks on SPLA positions at Kola on the 9th , Kuek on the 11th and Gabat on the 12th,” he said.
“There is no war between South Sudan and Sudan. However, the SPLA is capable to respond to any form of aggression against the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan,” he added.
Sudan and South Sudan have frequently accused each other of supporting opposition groups fighting both governments. The two countries denied the accusations.
In May, Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir accused South Sudan and Egypt of supporting rebels from the Darfur region, an accusation denied by South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei.