Col Philip Aguer at Eye Radio, April 2013

dated: 30/12/2013

The South Sudan army says it believes forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar are advancing towards Bor in a bid to recapture the town.

The group is believed to include members of the ‘white army’ composed of young Nuer fighters.

Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, was recaptured by government forces last week after being held briefly by rebels.

The SPLA spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, told Eye Radio that sporadic clashes were reported in some areas in Jonglei State on Monday between SPLA troops and rebel forces.

“Forces loyal to Riek Machar that had been advancing from Luo Nuer area towards Bor town were reported on Monday evening at a distance of 25 miles from Bor town in a place called Mathiang where they clashed with the patrolling unit,” Colonel Aguer said.

Colonel Aguer said the situation is calm in some parts of the country where fighting between the army and rebels has taken place.

He said the whole of Upper Nile and parts of Unity state –with the exception of Bentiu town -are under the control of government forces.

Colonel Philip Aguer said the SPLA forces are in the vicinity of Mayom County in oil-producing Unity State.

The spokesperson of the group describing itself as “the Interim Government of Unity State”, Moses Ruai Lat, says they control the whole of Unity State.

Dr. Riek Machar has accepted to negotiate with the government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD.

The African Union is calling upon President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar, as well as other stakeholders, to act in a spirit of patriotism and vision for the greater national interest of their country.

dated: 30/12/2013