The leadership of South Sudan’s SPLA-Juba faction have arrested of one of their own senior commanders, according to an official from Pariang County in Unity State.
Col. Achuil Mathiang Kiirnaar, the commanding officer for the armed group’s forces in Pariang County, was summoned to Juba and then detained on Monday night.
He is allegedly blamed for failing to hold defensive positions during recent fighting with the rival SPLA-IO faction and thereby allowing two armoured vehicles to fall into enemy hands. The vehicles owing to technical problems and lack of repair equipment could not join the withdrawal.
Col. Achuil’s forces were attempting to secure oil-producing areas of northern Unity State.
According to a source in the Pariang area, prior to the mentioned fighting the commander’s troops were suffering low morale owing to lack of salaries and inadequate supplies including food, fuel and ammunition. The troops were not reinforced and were overwhelmed in the attack.
The arrested officer belongs to the Dinka Panaru community native to Pariang County.
Today the SPLA spokesman in Juba, Col. Philip Aguer, could not be reached for comment.