deputy spokesperson of SPLM/A in Opposition Yohanis Musa Pouk in Addis Ababa - Jan 2014

The SPLM-SPLA- in Opposition has denied media reports that forces loyal to the former Vice President Riek Machar continue to launch attacks on Warrap State.

Earlier this week, the Deputy Governor of Warrap State, Aketch Tong Aleu, said forces loyal to Machar had attacked Tonj-East and Tonj-North Counties, killing nine civilians.

However, the deputy spokesperson of the SPLM-SPLA in Opposition, Yohanis Musa Pouk, told Eye Radio form Addis Ababa that they have no forces attacking Warrap State:

“We don’t have forces that have gone to Warrap,” he said. “What is happening there is a problem between the civilians.”

Mr Pouk said the attacks could be retaliatory.

“There has been fighting between civilians from the two states: civilians from Warrap would go and attack civilians in Bentiu and civilians from Bentiu would go and attack civilians in Warrap,” he explained.

“There were civilians whose houses were burnt down by civilians who were moving along with soldiers from Bahr El-Ghazal moving to Unity State.

“Perhaps these are civilians from Unity State who were angered by that act and they decided to take revenge and attack Warrap. These are not our forces.”

Mr. Pouk said the peace talks in Addis Ababa are not progressing because, he said, the government has not shown goodwill, has not released the remaining four detainees in Juba and has not implemented the cessation of hostilities agreement.

“There is no party that is serious about the implementation of this agreement more than us since the day it was signed because we wanted humanitarian assistance to reach the civilians who have been affected by the conflict.

“But the other party,” he continued, “the government in Juba, decided to violate the agreement from the day it was signed.

“As such, there is not any commitment to this agreement.”

Mr. Pouk said there are no direct talks between the two negotiating teams in Addis Ababa because the Government is not willing to implement the two agreements they signed last month.