Pagak, November 26, 2014 (SSNA) — The military wing of the South Sudanese rebels, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO), has accused the Ugandan air force of conducting strange flights over its territories. The rebels said their military counterintelligence division started monitoring Uganda fighter jets from the moments they left Kampala for Juba.
The accusation happens as rebels prepare to start their consultative conference in Pagak, Maiwut County, Upper Nile State.
“Between November 10-19, agents of our military counterintelligence division on the ground had informed us of unusual military activities both in Kampala and Juba. Then, on November 23, four Su-30MK2 fighter jets left Entebbe military airbase for Juba International Airport,” a senior General of the SPLA-in Opposition in Pagak told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).
The rebel General said Uganda’s fighter jets have been acting recklessly and that the suspicion was quickly confirmed soon after military jets of Uganda landed in Juba.
“Less than six hours after they landed on the far east of Juba’s airport, two jets took off and headed to Bor. There, the same jets began their unusual journey to our territories,” he said.
"When they left Bor, they headed to Malakal. Then, after we spotted them they changed their flight route and headed to the direction of Unity State, and then they make a quick U-turn and headed back to Jonglei state”, he revealed.
“I can assure you…we are 100% sure that Juba regime is seriously ill and it is being treated in Kampala by Ugandan military doctors,” the visibly furious rebel General added.
The SPLA-IO General warned of “serious consequences” if Uganda continues what he calls “fishing tactics”, asserting that the anti-government forces are capable of deliver crushing blows to any aggressor including Uganda air force.
In December 2013, Ugandan Air force Bombed Rebel Bases in Jonglei State. Uganda denied any involvement.
However, a report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) later confirmed that Uganda has used cluster bombs against rebel forces.
On the 5th of November, documents of the Ugandan military war plans were leaked the SSNA; the transcripts disclosed that Uganda has completed its war plan against South Sudanese rebels. The documents further revealed that Kampala, Juba, and unnamed countries of the Great Lakes Region are poised to launch a major military offensive against the rebels in either late December or early next year.
The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is currently fighting alongside South Sudan’s government soldiers against forces loyal to South Sudan’s Former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar. Rebels have on many occasions called on Ugadna to withdraw its military from South Sudan.