Juba, January 21, 2019 (SSNA) — South Sudan’s main rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), is divided over a request by the government to involve the armed opposition in its operation against the National Salvation Front (NAS), a high-ranking rebel official who talked exclusively to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) said on Monday.
The revelation comes less than a week after the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) declared the NAS as “threat” to peace and threatening to launch a joint military operation against its forces if it refuses to be part of the ongoing peace process.
The official, who only agreed to the interview on condition of anonymity, explained how “internal divisions” among some SPLM-IO officials create problems behind scenes and that the “infighting” is caused by the government. The rebel figure also asserts the leadership of the armed opposition is “silently trying to calm things down” for fear the issue could damage its reputation in the eyes of its supporters.
“You know the cause of these internal divisions was caused by the announcement that was announced by Jok Riak Makol of SSPDF and Koang Chuol Ranley of SPLM-IO,” the visibly furious rebel official told the SSNA in Juba.
“I know the leadership is working hard on this even though they are doing it silently trying to calm things down,” added.
In the interview, the official further explained the ongoing infighting within the movement will be solved and suggests the SPLM-IO first know its interests before government ones.
“We will be Okay. This issue will be solved. But what I think we should do as a political party is to know our own interests, not those of the government. I am confident this matter will be resolved,” he assured.
Early last week, the SPLA-IO and SSPDF held a joint news conference, calling for NAS leader Thomas Cirillo to accept the September 2018 peace agreement or face military action. The two main parties to the pact also accused the National Salvation Front of looting property, raping women, and displacing civilians. The NAS called the accusations “rubbish” and vowed to respond if “such a threatening language” is implemented by the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO.
An internationally acclaimed expert recently said that South Sudan’s peace has little chance of succeeding and warned that military confrontation with the NAS could cause a wide-spread war in the country.
The South Sudan News Agency was also told by the source that five powerful SPLA-IO military leaders strongly oppose any attempt by the rebel leadership to allow the armed opposition troops to fight alongside government forces against the NAS.
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SPLA-IO didn’t implement the Revitalization peace and want to go fight instead of calling their brothers and resolve issues amicably … what kind of leaders are those…!
How comes spla io be fighting opposition movement when it is also another oppositon body that also seek for reforms like NAS ?
The trick behind this planned joint operation isn’t about destroying NAS but SPAL/IO and the Equatorians at large plus turnishing IO name amongst Equatorians
Our leaders, President Salva kiir and Riek Machar pronounced the war which started in Dec, 2013 as “senseless war” because more than 300,000 people perished and economy devastated.
Now reported our top military leaders threatened to protect implementation of peace by planning to attack the NAS rebels of Thomas Cirilo in Equatoria region. What will our leaders rename this new war to be fought in Equatoria “worse senseless” or “kokora”. To me the terrible trap is awaiting Salva and Riek absolute decisions on the sustainability of current peace in South Sudan. Should another war start by SSPDF and NAS forces I am seeing the situation where kokora will be entranged without forgiveness, occurrences of another genocide in Juba or all parts of Equatoria region, new wave of defections of politicians, intra-inter divisions and defections of SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces, death of implementation of current peace, and spread of war to areas not expected, and another large displacements of locals. The international world will be acting on war mongers, most which will end up in the ICC courts, just like Sadam Hussein of IRAG. The remedy is for our leaders to continue with no reservations to preach and implement peace, engage IGAD/ AU/Troika to engage NAC/other rebellious parties to join in the implementation process of current peace and safe deteriorating economy. Above all, for the sitting president H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit and IGAD, not to consider the current peace as the “divine Bible/Koran” of South Sudan.
Our leaders, President Salva kiir and Riek Machar pronounced the war which started in Dec, 2013 as “senseless war” because more than 300,000 people perished and economy devastated.
Now reported our top military leaders threatened to protect implementation of peace by planning to attack the NAS rebels of Thomas Cirilo in Equatoria region. What will our leaders rename this new war to be fought in Equatoria “worse senseless” or “kokora”? To me the terrible trap is awaiting H.E Salva Kiir and Riek absolute decisions on the sustainability of current peace in South Sudan. Should another war start by SSPDF and NAS forces I am seeing the situation where kokora will be entranged without forgiveness, occurrences of another genocide in Juba or all parts of Equatoria region, new wave of defections of politicians, intra-inter divisions and defections of SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces, death of implementation of current peace, and spread of war to areas not expected, and another large displacements of locals. The international world will be acting on war mongers, most which will end up in the ICC courts, just like Sadam Hussein of IRAG. The remedy is for our leaders to continue with no reservations to preach and implement peace, engage IGAD/ AU/Troika to engage NAC/other rebellious parties to join in the implementation process of current peace and safe deteriorating economy. Above all, for the sitting president H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit and IGAD, not to consider the current peace as the “divine Bible/Koran” of South Sudan.
Entering another fight when the first fighting has not been finally solved,what curse to Southerners have, is out mindset fixed in solving issues through the barrel of guns.God Help South Sudan
Good move from these five SPLA/ io leaders to oppose the self interest of the s.s government!!
very good news. remember the government wanted to use APLA-IO to reduce their number and lastly they will finished the remaining. this is the plan of Jenk Council of elders (Dinka).
The plan of the government to Attack the national salvation front Army should not be accepted by the SPLM IO movement
We have to look for our interest rather than the interest of the regime
The government of the day in juba wanted to use our forces to achieved is interest
We will continued abide by the ceasefires and cessation of hostilities
The join attack to non signatories to the revitalized peace agreement on the resolution of the conflict in south Sudan will create widespread insecurity in the country
That it be true the IO leader shift
can not be misled all the time by Jang community. Which is wrong from the fist time to agree with Jok Riak to join forces with kirr. Fist the JCE did,tn agree with whole peace. How we agree with enemy who did’t move foreword for peace agreement.
let them fight with Nas by them self not use IO soldier to be a victim tomorrow by Kirr Government. let bring those who fought a long side them for five years like North Sudan three faction who fought for us and Uganda soldier they save them to fight with us tomorrow.
SPLM/A-IO, Has no interest to fight NAS and should not be forced to sign the peace agreement if its objectives have not been met. IO and NAS no war. The government must implement the agreement. IO should be part of government war fare because IO and Government are not one government YET!!!