Military clashes between Kiir, Machar soldiers 'leave four dead'
File photos of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Military clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice- President Dr Riek Machar in Morroto area of Central Equatoria State have left four soldiers killed, including a general, according to Machar's deputy military spokesperson.
Speaking to ''The EastAfrican'' on Thursday in Juba, Col Lam Paul, Sudan People's Liberation Army-In-Opposition deputy military spokesman, confirmed that a fight between South Sudan People's Defence Forces and SPLA-IO forces in Morroto area on Wednesday left a total of five soldiers killed and six others injured on both sides.
“SSPDF has been attacking our forces in various training areas within Central Equatoria State and others, particularly areas of Kejo-Keji. The attacks started from 21st of November to 27th and also yesterday [Wednesday].
“The Wednesday clashes left four of our IO soldiers killed and six others injured. Our soldiers were airlifted to Juba for treatment. Our commanders on the ground have also reported to us that the general who commanded the SSPDF soldiers during the attack was killed by our forces,” said Lam.
The SSPDF general killed is identified as Brig-General Gatgueng Bipal who SPLA-IO claims commanded the forces.
In response, South Sudan People's Defence Forces acting spokesman, Maj- Gen Santos Domic, denied the alleged killing of the general.
“There were reported clashes in Morroto area but according to our sources there, the clashes were between the locals and the SPLA-IO and thus currently I don’t have any information regarding any of our soldiers or general killed in those clashes,” said Domic.
Source of conflict
SPLA-IO accused Gen Moses Lokuju, its former senior military commander who last month switched sides by pledging allegiance to the SSPDF under President Kiir, of being behind the continued attacks on its sites.
SPLA accuses Gen Lokujo of launching continuous attacks on training centres for unified forces.
According to the SPLA-IO, Gen Lokuju switched sides, escaping punishment for alleged killing of three SPLA-IO officers in May 2020.
On Monday this week, IO accused Gen Moses of ceasefire violations in Central Equatoria State, adding that his violations were being aided by the SSPDF army headquarters in Juba. SSPDF denied these claims.
The ceasefire monitoring body, CTSAM-VM, last month identified Gen Moses as the one responsible for the ongoing displacements in Kajo-keji County, Central Equatoria State.
Last month, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais, said he was disappointed over reports of fighting between a splinter group and the SPLA-IO in Yei River area, Central Equatoria State.
The revitalised peace agreement mandates the Joint Defence Board to exercise command and control over all forces during the Pre-Transitional Period.
The body, which is made up of senior military leaders, last month planned to summon the officers responsible for the confrontation. But such efforts seem to have not materialised, according to observers.
