The leadership of the SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang Faction on Tuesday rebutted reports that they intend to surrender their armaments to the government and confirmed an “unexpected attack” by SPLA-IO forces loyal to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar on their base in Pieri Payam in Jonglei State’s Uror County on Monday morning.
On Monday, Uror County Commissioner James Gatkhor Gatluak told Radio Tamazuj that fighting started at around 2 a.m. “when soldiers from the SPLA-IO under Nathaniel Oyet attacked forces loyal to Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual.” He said one soldier was killed and two were wounded, one on each side, but that calm had returned to the area. The clash reportedly arose from a dispute over the control of a main battle tank held by the Kitgwang faction.
A press release signed by Lt. Col. Nyang Gony Gai, Press Secretary in the Office of the Chairman Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, said that following the attack, their forces withdrew from their positions to protect innocent civilians.
“We condemn this destructive act in the strongest possible terms,” Gony said. “The SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang will continue to defend itself and will respond soon to those warmongers who aim to cause havoc in the area.
“Meanwhile, the SPLM-IO Kitgwang would like to dismiss all rumours and media propaganda propagated by SPLM/A-IO supporters claiming that Kitgwang plans to sell or surrender their arms to the Government of South Sudan,” he added.
Gony said the allegations against the Kitgwang faction are baseless and meant to cover up the ongoing clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO.
“Furthermore, the government has been in constant confrontation with SPLA-IO forces across the country, hence the bombardment by the SSPDF in Pieri and Lankien is a part of an already active engagement between SPLA-IO and SSPDF,” the statement said. “The leadership of SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang urges civilians to distance themselves from these destructive elements and seek refuge in safer areas.”
“The leadership also wants to reassure civilians and the nation at large that this situation will be addressed promptly, and peace and stability will soon be restored,” the statement concluded.