Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Joint Defence Board (JDB) has formed a committee to investigate the recent clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces in Maiwut County of Upper Nile State.
The committee comprises seven officers drawn from the main signatories to the revitalised agreement. The members of the committee who are attached to the SSPDF, SPLA, and SSOA are set to travel to Pangak on Sunday to investigate the fighting.
Two weeks ago, SSPDF and SPLA-IO clashed in at least two areas of the Upper Nile and Unity states, according to the SPLA-IO spokesperson, Col. Gabriel Lam Paul.
He said the clashes occurred at Wang Kuarbiy around Pangak, leading to the killing of one soldier from the SPLA-IO side. In Unity State, forces from Koch County attacked SPLA-IO forces at the Mirmir cantonment site.
Addressing the press yesterday, Maj. Gen. Deng Manyang Leek, Chairperson of the SSPDF Committee, said the committee would work closely with the forces on the ground to determine what caused the fighting.
“We must work as a team to find out who is exactly in the wrong, and we shall report back to the Joint Defence Board that brought us together,” Maj. Gen. Deng said.
“The team will leave from Juba to Upper Nile on Sunday and immediately on Monday we will start our investigation,” he added. However, Maj. Gen Deng was not sure how the investigation would be carried out.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the fighting between the two forces was the first since the peace agreement was signed. He stated that following the signing of the peace agreement, the armed forces of the parties formed a committee to resolve any problems that may arise between them.
“We are committed to resolving our problems because nobody can come from somewhere to solve our problems here in this country,” Maj. Gen Lul stated.
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