The military spokesman of the SPLA-IO, which signed a peace agreement with the government in August last year, has accused Salva Kiir’s government of military build-up in Jonglei State.

Col. William Gatjiath Deng, military spokesman of the rebel group SPLM/A-IO, told Radio Tamazuj that government soldiers were seen moving around Gadiang, Uror and Akobo counties on Sunday and Monday.

He also claimed that the government forces attacked various areas around Ayod County, but were repulsed by their forces stationed in the area. Gatjiath reiterated their commitment to respecting the signed peace agreement. However, the rebel officer said they will fight back in case of any attack.

Kiir’s government recently said that opposition forces besieged the strategic town of Bentiu in the oil producing Unity state. Ceasefire monitors have not publicly commented on this claim.

Speaking to reporters after an extraordinary cabinet meeting in Juba, government spokesman and information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, claimed that all routes leading to the oil producing town were cut off by the SPLA-IO fighters.