Authorities in South Sudan’s Tambura State have accused the opposition SPLA-IO forces of kidnapping local youth to join the armed movement.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, the state information minister, Anikumbo Mathew Aime said two kidnapped youth have escaped from their abductors who are affiliated to the opposition at Nabiama, an area located about 8km away from Tambura town.

He further said the two youth are currently receiving treatment at Tambura Hospital.

The government official stressed that the act violates the peace agreement, adding that the matter is being handled with the SPLA-IO commander in the state.

Mathew called on the parties to the peace deal to expedite the ongoing cantonment process so that all forces can distance themselves from civilians at Namatina, an area not designated as a cantonment site, but a temporary assembly area for the SPLA-IO.

For his part, James Naando, the commander of SPLA-IO forces in Tambura has denied that his forces have been kidnapping local youth.

He further said 14 SPLA-IO soldiers had been arrested for committing crimes in the state, pointing out that investigations are underway.

The commander urged South Sudan leaders to make achieving peace and stability a priority.

According to reports, all sides are adding new forces to their ranks before a new transitional government is formed, in apparent breach of the terms of the country’s peace deal.

On November 7, President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar agreed to give themselves another 100 days to form a unity government.

President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and a handful of other groups signed the peace deal in September 2018. However the parties have failed to create a unified army and determine the number of states since the deal was signed.