The government says it will discuss with the UN mission in the country the circumstances under which the mission’s barges were seized by the SPLM in Opposition forces in Upper Nile state. The Council of Ministers resolved this today, during its regular sitting in Juba.

The SPLM-IO commandeered the barges on Wednesday in Kaka.

On Thursday, the SPLA Spokesperson, Colonel Phillip Aguer accused the mission of allowing the rebel forces to use the barges to transport its military supplies and soldiers.

The UNMISS Spokesperson; Arianne Quentier said UNMISS is neutral in the conflict.

She urged the opposition to give back the barges to the mission with all its contents.

Rebecca Joshua Okwaci, Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, addressed reporters after the Council of Ministers this afternoon.

“The government has resolved to engage with the UNMISS and see what exactly has happened – how this issue can be resolved amicably,” Ms Okwaci said, “why they [rebels] are still keeping the barges and the crew.”

However, the SPLA/IO Deputy Spokesperson, Dickson Gatluak said they detained the barges because they were carrying SPLA military intelligence.

The opposition announced that they are holding the barge as they investigate the matter.