The army says accusations by the United States that it failed to protect civilians in vulnerable areas in Jonglei state are false.

Reuters news agency reported today that the U.S embassy in South Sudan said that the SPLA’s “lack of action to protect civilians constitutes a serious abdication of responsibility.”

However, the SPLA spokesperson Colonel Philip Aguer told Eye Radio that the he believes the SPLA does protect civilians.

“That accusation is not true, the communal fighting in Jonglei is bigger than the SPLA; the SPLA is only addressing military issues – civilian conflicts can be addressed by the civilian authorities,” said Col Aguer.

Col. Aguer said the SPLA “cannot go and fight any community because of whatever is happening there, our role is to protect the people from internal and external threats.”

The United States embassy has issued a travel warning to all its citizens, warning them of the dangers of traveling to Jonglei state.