The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ellen Margrethe Løj on Friday publicly demanded the release of 12 UN contractors held by rebels in Kaka area of Manyo County in Upper Nile state, four days after their capture.

On Monday, 18 UNMISS uniformed personnel and 12 South Sudanese UNMISS contractors had been transporting fuel by barge from Malakal to the UNMISS base in Renk when they were stopped by approximately 100 "heavily armed" SPLA-In Opposition soldiers at Kaka in Manyo County, according to the mission.

The rebels took UNMISS' communications equipment, weapons, and fuel before releasing the 18 peacekeepers Wednesday after negotiations between SPLA-IO leadership and the UN, the mission said. The contractors are still being held hostage, the UN said. Numerous South Sudanese staff of UN agencies have been kidnapped and killed along the river in Upper Nile state during the war.

“I call on the SPLM/A in Opposition leader and commanders to release the contractors and all UNMISS property without delay,” Ellen Margrethe Løj, head of UNMISS, said Friday. “I am adamant that the taking of UNMISS personnel as hostages is equivalent to an attack on the UN. I underline that such attacks against UN peacekeepers and other personnel may constitute a war crime.”

The Aguelek rebels in Kaka area are under command of Major General Johnson Olony, whose forces joined the SPLA-IO of Riek Machar earlier this year. A spokesperson for the Aguelek forces has claimed the people they are holding include SPLA government soldiers and National Security Service agents. They also alleged the barge belonged to the SPLA and was carrying heavy weapons to the government in Renk.

"Ms. Løj also strongly refuted reports in the media that the barge had been transporting weapons cargo of any kind, and emphasized that all of the fuel cargo was intended for resupplying the UNMISS base in Renk, and not for the use of the Opposition," UN said yesterday.

In New York, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarrac told reporters the head of UN peacekeeping operations Herve Ladsous spoke to Riek Machar Thursday and urged the immediate and unconditional release of the contractors as well as the release of weapons still held in Kaka. Dujarrac was unable to say whether the UN has spoken to Olony on the matter.

"I'm sure contacts are being held on the ground. From here we spoke to Riek Machar who portrays himself as the leader of the opposition. He therefore has a responsibility," Dujarrac said.

Shelling in Manyo

Separately, SPLA-IO military spokesperson William Gatdieth accused government forces of shelling their base at Kuek South also in Manyo county on Friday. In a press statement, Gatdieth said the attack began around 8:15 am using mortars and rockets and continued into late evening.

"The shelling came after government troops under General Yoanes Okij fought his comrades at their garrison yesterday at Daaba, Thorguang, and Wedakona," Gatdieth claimed. He said the rebel forces did not respond to the attack.

Gatdieth called on IGAD Plus, African Union, and international community to intervene in Upper Nile and other conflict affected states in South Sudan.

Related:

Fighting among SPLA forces at Wadakona in Upper Nile Thursday (30 Oct.)