The command of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) on Sunday issued a strong worded statement dismissing reports linking President Salva Kiir and his chief of general staff, Paul Malong Awan to have masterminded and deliberately organized clashes at presidential palace in July.
SPLA Spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement on Sunday that president Kiir and SPLA Chief of General Staff General Paul Malong Awan were not responsible for July violence. “SPLA Chief of General Staff was not responsible for Juba clashes. SPLA General Headquarters is outraged at UN’s accusation that the SPLA Chief of General Staff, General Paul Malong Awan organised and oversaw the July 2016 clashes at J1,” the statement broadcast by the government run South Sudan broadcasting Corporation on Sunday reads in part.
Lul described report by the United Nations holding Malong responsible for organizing military confrontations as part of negative campaign to tarnish the image of the chief of staff.
“We in the SPLA would like to announce to the whole world that the irresponsible statement confirmed U.N’s continuation of negative smear campaign against top leadership of the military”, it added
This comes after the UN released a report recently alleging that Malong and Kiir directed armed confrontations that occurred in Juba last July. Malong, according to Lul, should be commended for demonstrating leadership and for making sure that wrongdoers are held accountable.
He cited conviction of up to 60 SPLA soldiers, execution of 2 SPLA soldiers by firing squad in Wau, pardoning of 17 SPLA-IO fighters allegedly stranded at Juba Regency Hotel in July as well as the formation of the recovery operation unit as evidence that Malong was against the resumption of hostilities. “We are disappointed that the UN doesn’t appreciate the efforts of the SPLA Chief of General Staff, and instead does what it could to paint him in bad light and the national army,”
Lul challenged UN to provide evidence linking the SPLA Chief to July clashes and claimed UNMISS as ‘part of the problem’ in South Sudan.
The military spokesman also dismissed reports of purchases of war planes and ammunitions and urged UN to provide enough evidence supporting claims that the SPLA had purchased war planes.
“We are sad to announce to the people of South Sudan that UNMISS and UN are part of the problem instead of being part of the solution because of the following reasons: smuggling in of 3 spy missiles. UNMISS smuggled in 672 boxes of AK47 labelled as medicine and food which were discovered and impounded for a very long time”.
“UNMISS harbours at its camp some armed elements of SPLA-IO. These elements would come out at their chosen time and attack government position, rape women and children, as well as armed robbery before returning to their sanctuaries.”
Lul claimed SPLA-IO armed men loyal to Riek and who are responsible for violating cessation of hostilities were being hosted by the United Nations. He said recent attacked on the Juba-Nimule high way were clear indications that these armed men are not interested in peace. He warned warmongers of serious consequences should they continue with such actions, saying the SPLA will deal with them ruthlessly.