Ten South Sudanese soldiers were killed and twenty-one injured in an ambush by armed youths in Nasir. The army accused the SPLM-IO of inciting violence, while the opposition denied involvement. The conflict highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges surrounding the country’s fragile peace process amid political instability.
At least ten soldiers were killed, and twenty-one others were injured in South Sudan following an ambush by armed youths in the eastern Upper Nile state. The incident occurred early Sunday morning in the town of Nasir, according to army spokesperson Lul Ruai Kong. He attributed the attack to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), claiming the opposition party incited local youths against army units.
Kong specifically accused the SPLM-IO, led by Vice President Riek Machar, of worsening local tensions. He stated, “What these armed youths did in Nasir was due to incitement by opposition forces in the area to deepen divisions among the local population.” The army plans to provide evidence to the ceasefire monitoring committee as part of their efforts to hold the opposition responsible.
In response, Lam Paul Gabriel, a spokesperson for the SPLM-IO, denied the accusations, asserting that their forces were not involved in the incident. Gabriel remarked, “We have not carried out any attack, nor have we incited local youths. The army has issues with the local population.” He claimed that the violence erupted when government forces first assaulted civilians in Nasir.
The incident is part of a larger context of ongoing clashes between government forces and opposition groups in South Sudan, especially in the southwest. This spike in violence unfolds amid political instability following a recent reshuffle by President Kiir and delays in implementing the 2018 peace agreement, which has left the nation in a precarious situation.
In summary, the attack in Nasir marks a significant escalation in violence between South Sudan’s military and opposition forces. Claims and counterclaims regarding accountability reveal deep-seated tensions amid a fragile ceasefire established in 2018. As political uncertainties continue to rise, the necessity for dialogue and resolution grows increasingly urgent for the stability of South Sudan.
Original Source: efe.com
