South Sudanese rebels say that government forces have shelled their positions in Upper Nile State and warned that such attacks aim to secure territorial gains ahead of the coming election, which the government has announced will take place in areas under their control.
Brig-Gen. Joseph Gai Gatluak, the rebel commander in Wadakona, Manyo County in northern Upper Nile told Radio Tamazuj over the phone that government forces in Renk shelled their defensive positions in Bushar, Musekbel, Gabat and Dongos yesterday.
He called this a violation of the ceasefire inked on 23 January 2014 by both warring parties in the Ethiopian capital Addis-Ababa.
“This morning we had serious aggression on our position by pro government shelling us from Renk headquarters with heavy artilleries, but we have repulsed them back to their position with more causalities,” he added.
Gatluak accused government forces of what he described as lacking trust in peace talks in Ethiopia, laying blame on the government for trying to control more territorial gain before peace talks resume.
“Now the government’s intention is very clear that they are not ready for peace that is why they are continuing attacks on our various places,” added Gatluak.
On the other hand, SPLA spokesman Col Philip Aguer Panyang accused SPLA-IO forces of attacking an army base in northern Upper Nile State yesterday morning.
“This morning at 11, forces of Riek Machar attacked SPLA positions in Umdhurich. Umdhurich is north-east of Renk. Fighting is still ongoing. It is a major attack,” he told Eye Radio.
Separately, a civilian source in Renk reported widespread fear owing to reports and sounds of the fighting and said some citizens were leaving the city. But owing to poor communications he was unable to give further details.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the ruling Sudan People Liberation Movement, who spoke on condition of anonymity from Upper Nile State acknowledged that the government has a plan to occupy rebel-controlled areas ahead of the planned election in June.
Recently the South Sudanese national elections commission announced an election will take place in June this year, and the Council of Minister approved funding for the plan.