Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO) and the National Democratic Movement (NDM) are accused of forcing civilians transporting goods on the Nile River to pay taxes.
The Agwelek faction of the SPLM-IO Kitgwang, led by General Johnson Olony Thabo, said in a statement that the two groups are harassing civilians in Panyikang County.
The statement, signed by the faction’s Chairperson of Political Affairs Paul Achot, said the SPLA-IO and NDM share the county’s resources from the proceeds of their illegal checkpoint along the Nile River and other levies and taxes imposed on herders from Sudan.
Achot accused the two groups of fighting over taxes, resulting in displacement in the northern Upper Nile area.
“This disagreement has manifested itself in the Sunday night attack on Tonga by a dissatisfied group of the SPLM/A-IO in the town,” he said. “The SPLM/A-IO Kitgwang would like to distance itself from the recent clashes in Tonga.”
Sudans Post was unable to reach the SPLA-IO or NDM for comment.
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