Sudan Army Forces (SAF) has launch bombing and ground on the South Sudan Oil territory of Bentiu State, Jau Payam, spokesperson of the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) Col. Philip Aguer discloses in a press briefing held in the National Ministry of Information last week.
He said that Sudan Army Forces unit in Telik has moved to the South Sudan territory of Tesui and Jau on 26th March and launched Aril bombing and ground attacks. He said that fighting is currently going on, as South Sudan is working to expel SAF forces out of the South Sudan territory. Philip reiterated that the attacks have created fear among communities residing along the South, North Sudan borders. He added that Khartoum has shown arrogance behaviors since South Sudan decision of shutting down of the oil pipeline last month.
He said that SPLA is mandated to protect South Sudan territory. Aguer reiterated that Khartoum idea of the current attack was to disrupt Juba summit in which Sudan President was expected to attend in person. Aguer added that the SPLA has arrested one sagin from the SAF forces and that the arrestee is under detention in Bentiu. He disclosed that many civilians were displaced from the battle area of Jau and the displaced persons have moved southward as calm did return. Aguer said that the number of casualties are not clear as fighting is still going in Tesui and Jau.
He said that Sudan Army Forces wanted to complicate Bashir visit to Juba. Addressing the conference, he urges Khartoum to be realistic and be abiding by agreements Sudan. Aguer said that SAF have further extended their operation to Western Bhar El-Ghazel state town of Raja. He said that the attack was launched with the intention of disrupting even the continuation of Addis Ababa talks and border demarcation process.
He also that Khartoum is arming the communities along the borderlines “Sudan Government is arming the Ambororo, Palata, and the Misery communities to disestablish the security arrangement along the North-South Sudan borders” Aguer was quoted. “Khartoum has embarked on recruiting militias and it has completed plans to deploy Lord Resistance Army (LRA) Western Equatoria State to disestablish the Africa Union task forces deployed to the area of Nzara County Western Equatoria State” he continued.
Africa Union Delegation to South Sudan, Western Equatoria state a month ago has affirmed deployment of Africa Union task force to the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) territories. The head of the delegation Con. David Andrew Nigerian national said that the task force will join the Uganda People Defense Force (UPDF) and Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) in hunting out LRA. The delegation carried out assessments on atrocities committed by the LRA over the last years. After the visit, Africa Union has agreed to deploy five troops to LRA Operation areas.
The main purpose of the visit is to tour disaster areas of WES and assess the security situation. The WES state Government pointed Nzara, Ezo and Ibba as priority ground for the assessment, saying that most of the atrocities were committed at those areas than any other County in the State. The delegation has put Nzara County as center of the Task force; AU task force is led by General from Uganda Army.
The AU assessments focus on health, education and infrastructure. The delegation said that AU has put plans to maintain Peace in South Sudan. “Eliminating LRA from Western Equatoria State, South Sudan is among our priorities” the assessments team said.
Upon arrival to the state, the Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro welcomed the delegation and assured them security. “We have grantee for the team in the course of their exercise” Bakosoro reiterated. Bakosoro told the delegation that the communities of WES are very friendly and hospitable to visitors and ready to host the task force. Upon of the state, Bakosoro appreciated AU for realizing the suffering of the people of western Equatoria state. He said that his state has gone under critical situation over the five years.