A breakaway faction of the SPLA-IO which has signed a peace deal with Yei authorities has welcomed the ceasefire declared by President Kiir recently.
In a statement to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Brig. Gen. Hillary Yakani, who is a senior commander of the group, said: “I therefore call upon all armed groups around Yei River State to stop fighting and work for peace to restore security in the area.”
Yakani accused SPLA-IO troops loyal to former First Vice President Riek Machar of attacking government forces on Thursday morning in Kaya area.
“I urge Dr. Riek Machar to recall John Mabieh and his Jamus forces with immediate effect to avoid regrets if he and his war mongering colleagues continue to cause chaos in Yei River State. Our people in Yei are tired, we want to work for peace,” said Yakani.
Last week, Kiir declared a unilateral ceasefire as he launched a national dialogue with opposition groups, a controversial bid to end the ongoing civil war that excludes his archival Riek Machar.