From Left: Col Lam Paul and Gen Lul Ruai - Courtesy/Eye Radio

The SPLA-In Opposition says tension in Leer County where some of its Generals defected to the SPLM in Government is forcing civilians to flee the area, a claim the army headquarters dismissed as untrue.

According to the armed opposition spokesperson, civilians around SPLA-IO garrisons are fleeing the area for fear of attack by the recent defectors.

Colonel Lam Paul Gabriel has accused the group led by Lieutenant Genera Maguek Gai of preparing an assault against SPLA-IO bases in the area.

He told Eye Radio that he would call the Commander of the Defense Force over the insecurity while the SPLA-IOs would stay put.

“Until yesterday, that tension was still there in place, and civilians are fleeing, those in the Adok area, those close to our bases outside, because they are afraid that there will be some eminent attack in the area,” Col Lam said.

“The SPLA-IO is also waiting, in case he will come or not come, but we will continue being in our base, in the ground they receive directives from Juba, most of the time,” he said.

“I will call the office in Juba to realize the importance of this because even the CDF of the SSPDF is the chairperson of the JDB, which means he’s in full command and control of the SPLA IO.”

“If the SSPDF is going to attack SPLA-IO because that one defected from our side and joined them, what will that make our commander the chairperson of JDB.”

“This is the contradicting situation that we are in, we have a peace partner that we work with together, and we defend this country together, in the end, they turned around and put us under threat.”

In response, the SSPDF spokesperson dismissed as untrue the claims by SPLA-IO.

Major General Lul Ruai says the armed opposition’s statement is a pretext to attack General Simon Maguek.

“It’s untrue, we are not surprised because SPLA-IO has been known for putting the blame on others whenever they have their own internal problems,” Gen. Lul said.

“How could you be blamed for the situation in Leer County when it was the normal thing that happened in the SPLA-IO camp,” he said.

“They want everyone to come for peace only through SPLA-IO and whenever someone says no, they start making an alarming statement.”

“There is nothing negative happening in Leer, civilians are not fleeing, and nobody is mobilizing for war.”

“The commissioner got in touch with us and he told us the situation was very normal on the contrary it’s SPLA-IO that’s mobilizing civilians in the area under their control.”

“The statement that was released by Lam Paul Gabriel it’s a pretext for them to start attacking Gen. Simon Maguek, but now they trying to massage public opinion.”

The defection by the SPLA-IO general comes at the time the peace parties are preparing to redeploy the necessary unified forces.

The 2018 peace agreement has discouraged defection as it is a violation of the security arrangements.