The spokesman of the South Sudanese Army (SPLA) claims two farmers were kidnapped in Renk County, Upper Nile state, by elements of the Sudanese armed forces.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, a source said the two farmers were kidnapped on 30 July and taken to Sennar state in Sudan.

SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer said the farmers were kidnapped “while at work”. He added his forces were dispatched to Gimbar area to “trace the perpetrators”, where they arrested the Sudanese soldier Mohamed Ismail “with his ammunition”.

The spokesman called on the Sudanese government to release the kidnapped farmers in exchange for the release of Mohamed Ismail “who is in the hands of SPLA soldiers.”