Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Dr. Paul Majok Nang on Friday ordered elements of the SPLA-IO led by the now confined First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to immediately and unconditionally release all barges and boats they seized.
According to a Friday press statement from SSPDF Spokesperson Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, failure to comply will lead to punitive action.
“Reliable and credible intelligence, coupled with complaints received from various entities indicated that several barges and boats including one belonging to United Nations and another owned by a Sudanese businessman had been hijacked by SPLA-IO fighters and the White Army in Fangak and Leer Counties of Jonglei and Unity States respectively,” the statement reads in part. “Mass hijackings at Adok Baar Port had resulted in the commandeering of 8 boats transporting passengers and assorted commercial goods. In a blatant violation of passengers’ and business owners’ rights, passengers on hijacked boats were ordered to disembark and told to find alternative means of reaching their final destinations.”
According to Gen. Ruai, in other serious violations, commandeered boats had their cargo offloaded, and passengers, along with crew members held hostage.
“The hijackers have been demanding payment of ransom ranging from SSP 10 million to USD 50,000, depending on various factors,” he said.
The army mouthpiece added that these illegal actions have seriously and negatively disrupted river transportations and are tantamount to piracy.
“In light of inconveniences caused, SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Dr. Paul Majok Nang, hereby orders for immediate and unconditional release of all hijacked barges and boats,” the statement concluded. Failure to comply with these operational orders will result in the taking of punitive aerial and riverine actions.”