Synopsis
On April 8, the SPLM/A-IO, South Sudan's opposition party, rejected SSPDF orders for troop assembly in government areas, asserting its independence. Spokesperson Lam Paul Gabriel emphasized their commitment to their leadership and the need for vigilance in light of escalating tensions.Key Takeaways
- The SPLM/A-IO opposes SSPDF's assembly orders.
- Leadership independence is a core principle for the SPLM/A-IO.
- Gabriel stresses the need for vigilance among forces.
- Tensions have increased following recent conflicts.
- White Army's attack resulted in casualties and arrests.
Juba, April 8 (NationPress) The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), representing South Sudan's opposition, has firmly rejected directives from the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) demanding its troops to gather in areas controlled by the government.
Lam Paul Gabriel, the spokesperson for the opposition faction led by First Vice President Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest, emphasized that they are an autonomous movement that follows orders from its own leadership instead of the SSPDF.
"This represents a total misunderstanding of command authority by the SSPDF. The SPLM/A-IO is a sovereign national movement that exclusively takes directives from its own leaders and commanders," Gabriel stated in a release from Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
"The SSPDF does not hold any command or influence over the forces of the SPLM/A-IO or the armed civilians within its controlled regions," he continued.
This response followed a directive issued on Monday by the Chief of Defence Forces, which instructed SPLM/A-IO personnel, who had recently gone into hiding after confrontations near Juba, to report to SSPDF bases or outposts, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
"Consequently, the SPLM/A-IO urges all its forces and armed civilians within its territories to remain armed and alert at all times, as the SSPDF has already initiated a comprehensive conflict against peace and the populace of South Sudan," Gabriel asserted.
Rising tensions were noted after a March attack led by the White Army, allied with the SPLM/A-IO, on a military installation in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
On March 7, the White Army killed multiple SSPDF soldiers, including a General, who were being evacuated by the United Nations in the troubled town of Nasir. This incident led to the detention of several senior SPLM/A-IO officials in Juba.
