Addis Ababa, November 8, 2014 (SSNA) — South Sudanese Rebel Chief Negotiator General Taban Deng Gai, has sent a protest letter to IGAD head Negotiator, accusing South Sudan’s government of launching fresh attacks on their positions in Unity State. A copy of the correspondence which was signed by Deng and sent to the Chairperson of IGAD Special Envoys for South Sudan, Ambassador Seyuom Mesfin, was obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).
The attacks come just less than 24 hours after the two warring sides agreed to honor the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement which was signed in January this year.
“We make this statement to bring it to the attention of the Chairperson of IGAD Special Envoys, H. E. Seyuom Mesfin, that the Government has again launched fresh attacks on our positions in Unity State this morning,” Gai wrote.
The letter also stated that combined forces of government troops, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and Sudan People’s Liberation army-North (SPLA-N) attacked their positions in Tor and Hofra.
“On November 8, 2014, GRSS, JEM and SPLA-North forces advanced from Bentiu and Pariang and attacked our positions at Tor and Hofra in Unity State,” he said.
The rebels’ Chief negotiator condemned the attacks and called on IGAD, Troika countries (UK, US, and Norway), and the United Nations to denounce South Sudanese government’s actions and demand an investigation.
“SPLM/SPLA condemns in the strongest terms possible the continuous aggression and violation of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement by the regime in Juba and calls on IGAD, Troika and the United Nations to condemn these unproved attacks by GRSS forces and investigate these aggressions,” Gai added.
Fighting has been raging with both sides repeatedly accusing each other of breaking the January 2014 truce.