South Sudan rebels have denied reports that they have kidnapped six local aid workers of Samaritan’s Purse organization in Meyendit County, located about 420 miles northeast of the capital Juba.
In February, South Sudan government and UN agencies said Mayiandit and other areas were facing severe famine and rampant insecurity security.
In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel, the SPLA-IO deputy military spokesman, said the government forces attacked their positions in Mayendit, but they were repulsed on Monday.
“This clash forced civilians to run in disarray for fear of their lives. Therefore, six local aid workers working for Samaritan’s Purse including other civilians were safely recovered by our gallant forces,” he said.
The rebel spokesman pointed out that the six aid workers are local staffs with their families in Mayendit County, denying accusations that they are being held by their forces in their area.
The information minister of Southern Liech, Peter Makuoth Malual on Monday said the SPLA-IO rebels abducted six local aid workers inside the UN base after launching an attack on Mayendit town.
He called on the opposition group to release the aid workers without any condition and stop all acts that could hamper humanitarian efforts to assist civilians in the area.
The local official claimed that the opposition forces attacked Mayendit town twice, saying the attack resulted in the killing of a government soldier and the wounding of four others including a civilian.
Makuoth alleged that the government forces killed seven rebel forces during clashes.
Meanwhile, Lul Ruai Koang, the SPLA spokesman in Juba, said in a separate press statement that the rebels attacked and abducted local staff from Samaritan’s Purse and that they are being held to ransom in Mayendit.
Photo: People in conflict-affected areas of South Sudan collect food (WFP/Peter Testuzza)