The opposition SPLM-IO on Thursday denied issuing an order to seize vehicles belonging to humanitarian organizations in northern Jonglei State, after a group of Western governments condemned what they described as a serious breach of humanitarian principles.
Pal Mai Deng, spokesperson for the SPLM-IO, told Radio Tamazuj that a document circulating on social media and attributed to SPLA-IO Major General John Luk Bayak was “fake and forged,” and insisted no such directive had been issued.
“There was no such order,” Pal said. “Major General John Luk Bayak was not aware of the alleged letter and was surprised by the reports.”
On Wednesday, the embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States issued a joint statement condemning a reported order by Gen. John Luk, who commands SPLA-IO Sector 3, to confiscate vehicles used by humanitarian organizations operating in northern Jonglei.
The diplomats described the reported action as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian principles” and called for the immediate reversal of the order and the return of any seized assets.
“No party or individual in South Sudan has the right to confiscate assets provided by our governments to implementing partners in support of life-saving assistance to South Sudanese in need,” the statement said.
Pal said Gen. John Luk had since established a committee to investigate the origin of the document and determine whether any vehicles had been taken. He said the commander also ordered the return of any humanitarian vehicles if they had been seized.
According to Pal, the investigation committee was formed Wednesday evening, shortly after the Western embassies released their statement. He said he had not yet received details about the committee’s composition or leadership.
“So far, no one is aware of any NGO vehicles being taken forcibly,” Pal said. “The investigation will establish who forged the document and what actually happened on the ground.”
Northern Jonglei has seen escalating violence in recent weeks, with renewed clashes between government forces and the SPLA-IO displacing civilians and disrupting humanitarian operations.
Since late December, insecurity has increased across the area, which is already heavily dependent on aid.
SPLA-IO forces recently captured the towns of Waat and Yuai from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, further heightening concerns among aid agencies operating in the region.
