Defected army soldiers under the command of the former vice president Dr. Riek Machar allegedly launched attacks on the SPLA base in Wangkei area south of Mayom County in Unity State, according the SPLA spokesman.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Monday, the SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer cited separate attacks on their positions. He said the rebels attacked their position in Wangkei area besides shelling in Nasser town in Upper Nile.

“The shelling in the town of Nasser resulted in to the killing of an SPLA solder and wounded others. With respect to the casualties of the assault on Wangkei area, the field commanders have not yet confirmed the figures,” said Aguer.

He further revealed another attack on the SPLA position in Baliet area in Upper Nile yesterday. Aguer said that this is a gross violation of the cessation of hostilities signed between the rebels and the government on 9 May.

For his part, the former vice president Riek Machar who is visiting the Kenyan capital Nairobi these days confirmed his commitment to the implementation of the agreement signed with the government, while blaming the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the two Sudanese rebel factions of the Sudan Liberation Army Movement led by Arko Manawi and Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur for the killing and fighting alongside Salva Kiir forces in Bentiu town.

The rebel leader called for a neutral body including the United Nations to investigate into massacre claims in the towns of Bentiu and Bor.

Reacting to the news, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) denied any involvement in the killings, saying South Sudanese rebels this way want to cover up the crimes he had committed against the Sudanese nationals in Bentiu.

Mohamed Adam, a leading figure in the JEM movement told Radio Tamazuj that they have sufficient evidences of the crimes committed by the South Sudanese opposition forces in Bor and Bentiu as well as Nasser towns.

“The accusations levelled against us by the rebels were just ploys to cover up the crimes they had committed against the Darfuris in Bentiu, Bor and Nasser town,” he emphasized.

“I assure you that there are civilians who are still being held hostages by the them up till now,” the Sudanese rebel indicated.   

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Today’s FORUM discussion on Facebook: Have sanctions against Marial Chanuong and Peter Gadet had any impact on the crisis in South Sudan?