The spokesperson of Dr. Riek Machar forces says their forces do not have cluster bombs and the Minister of Defense says he is not aware whether the army has cluster bombs.

The two men were responding to the UN Secretary General’s statement, earlier this week, that there is evidence cluster bombs have been used in the conflict in South Sudan.

Ban ki-Moon said on Wednesday that the use of the bombs on the Juba –Bor road is a violation of the international arms control treaty and a threat to civilians.

The UN chief did not say whether the government forces or forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar had used the bombs.

The Minister of Defense, Kuol Manyang Juuk, told Eye Radio this morning that he was not aware whether the army had cluster bombs.

“I’m not aware of the presence of cluster shells or bombs with the SPLM, whether they have been used, I am not aware,” said Mr Kuol.

“You’d better ask the SPLA.”

The spokesperson of Dr. Riek Machar forces, Lul Ruach said yesterday their forces do not have cluster bombs:

“I just read that some cluster bombs were found between Bor and Juba. Our forces don’t have cluster bombs, because we don’t have that capability, we don’t use them. In our stock, we don’t have them at all.”

A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller submunitions.