Matik Kueth
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Governor of Unity State, Joseph Manytuil, urged the forces of the SPLA-IO and the SSPDF not to resort to another military conflict that would cripple Bentiu.
Speaking to The City Review, Gai Jiek, Unity State’s Information Minister, said Manytuil briefed both the SSPDF Fourth Infantry Commander, Maj. Gen. Manyang Mayak and the SPLA-IO Division 4B acting sector II commander, Maj. Gen. Gatgok Khor, in a joint security meeting held in Leer County on Friday, appealed to the rival forces not to engage in any fighting that could displace civilians again.
“Governor Manytuil engaged both the SPLA-IO’s Acting Division 4B sector II commander, Maj. Gen. Gatgok Khor and Maj. Gen Manyang Mayak, the SSPDF Fourth Infantry commander advised them not to take Bentiu’s sons back to war again unless the SPLA-IO will initiate the fighting,” he said.
“So, commander Manyang and Gatgok need to make sure that peace dawns in Unity State so that civilians will not be displaced by this economic breakdown in the country,” Jiek added.
He said Manytuil called on both commanders to ensure a new chapter is created in Unity State, adding that it is the only one to embrace peace in the state.
“Governor Manytuil said things that are very important for both the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO forces. He told them that they have to forget all the wrong things that happened in the past and move towards lasting peace in the state to avoid the suffering of the civilians,” he said.
Maj. Yai Pazale, Deputy SPLA-IO Spokesperson in Unity State, told The City Review that the meeting was fruitful and that there is a sign that there will be peace in the state.
Pazale said no one will make Bentiu peaceful apart from its citizens to avoid causing more atrocities in the state.
“It was a meaningful meeting and there is a sign of peace in Bentiu. Nobody will come from somewhere to make Bentiu peaceful; it is us, the sons of Unity State,” Pazale stressed.
He added, “Just like what happened in Bentiu, the war of 2013 was devastating and it was us Bentiu sons who caused atrocities and destruction in the state not people from other states. It was brothers against brothers, but thanks god we are now realising that our differences could only cause more lives in the state.”
He reaffirmed SPLA-IO’s commitment to the full implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
He further said Governor Manytuil will meet with the SPLA-IO sector II commander, Maj. Gen. Turuk Khor upon his return from Leer address the recent clashes in the Tong cantonment site.
In recent months, the government of Unity State accused SPLA-IO forces in Nyuel-Nyuel military barrack, north-east of Bentiu town, of attacking Governor Manytuil’s convoy while on his way to Mayom County for a peace tour. But the SPLA-IO instead claimed they were attacked by the SSPDF at the same base.
On February 1, 2024, the clashes between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO forces led to a death toll of eight as 11 officers were severely wounded. The SPDF during the clash captured two SPLA-IO offices and are still captive, not yet released.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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