SPLA soldiers in Bentiu, Unity State. Photo: AFP/File
South Sudanese rebels have accused government troops of rapping women, girls, and burning down villages in Unity State.
Col. William Gatjiath Deng, the newly appointed Acting Spokesperson for the Sudan People’s Liberation army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) says government soldiers have again attacked their positions in Koch, Leer, and Mayiandit counties of the oil-rich Unity State.
“Today [Sunday] early in the morning on the 30th/August, 2015 around 6:00AM, government troops again launched attacks on our bases in Leer, Koch and Mayiandit Counties. And they burned down villages [a]round Rupkuai town and Mayiandit County including Koch County and targeting civilians, raping women and girls in the areas,” Col. Gatjiath said.
“This is the first violation of permanent ceasefire,” he noticed.
The rebel Spokesman disclosed that government has been transporting its heavy weaponries using gunboats and barges, adding that Juba is prepared to launch a full scale war against the armed opposition in and around Malakal, the capital of Upper Nile State.
On Friday, the SPLM/A-IO also accused government forces of launching surprised attacks on their outposts in Unity and Upper Nile States.
The rebels also calls on the IGAD-Plus, African union (AU), and the international community to condemn what they described as “violations of the permanent ceasefire.”
