Sudan People Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) Deputy Military stockperson Lam Paul Gabriel | October 2, 2019. (Photo by Akuot CHOL / AFP) (Photo by AKUOT CHOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The pro-Machar SPLM-IO faction has denied issuing any order to confiscate vehicles belonging to humanitarian organisations operating in the northern part of Jonglei State.

In a statement seen by Eye Radio, SPLM-IO spokesperson Pal Mai Deng said a document circulating on social media—allegedly signed by SPLA-IO Sector Three Commander Major General John Luk Bayak—was fake and did not originate from the movement.

The statement said the commander was unaware of the letter and expressed surprise over the reports, adding that no such directive had been issued.

The denial follows a joint statement by the embassies of Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which condemned what they described as a reported order to seize vehicles used by humanitarian organisations in the area.

The diplomats warned that such action would constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian principles and called for the immediate reversal of the alleged order and the return of any seized assets.

According to the SPLM-IO, Major General John Luk Bayak has since formed a committee to investigate the source of the document and to establish whether any humanitarian vehicles were taken.

The opposition movement said there is so far no confirmation that any NGO vehicles were forcibly seized.

The northern part of Jonglei State has in recent weeks experienced heightened insecurity, with renewed clashes between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters displacing civilians and disrupting humanitarian operations.