The SPLA spokesperson has dismissed reports by a rights group that the army soldiers have committed atrocities in Yei River State and other parts of the country.
In the report, Human Rights Watch says both the military and some anti-government forces abused civilians.
In its latest report released this week, Human Rights Watch says it documented rapes, arbitrary arrests and killings of civilians in Yei in recent months.
The group says it interviewed more than 70 witnesses who testified about the incidents.
The report also accuses anti-government forces of carrying out similar abuses. These include attacks on passenger buses on the road to Juba.
In response, the SPLA says it is “surprised” by the report.
“The SPLA is surprised by this unfounded accusation against our forces,” Brigadier-General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson, told Eye Radio.
“The report they have released does not reflect the reality on the ground and therefore it is a shoddy work that requires more work to be done for it to be considered a valued report.
“We are not convinced; we are not accepting the findings and the conclusions made by this report. We are in need of more convincing evidence to be given to us.”
The rights group said it based its report on interviews from victims.
Brig Ruai went on to say that if the SPLA found the report credible, it would immediately take legal measures against the soldiers
He said, “Once we are given that proof, when you have no reasonable doubt that the SPLA forces or some elements within the SPLA were involved in committing atrocities against civilians, we shall take steps to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.”
The anti-government forces could not be reached for comment.