An attack on the position of the Armed Opposition early today left 5 soldiers dead, several wounded with the entire base burned to the ground, SPLM/A-IO spokesperson, Col. Lam Paul Gabriel announced on Tuesday.
In a short statement seen by Ramciel, Col. Lam said 5 of their soldiers are dead including the commander of the cantonment site.
“today in the morning hours, the SPLA-IO cantonment site of Lowereng in Kapoeta South was attacked and burned down.”
According to him, the attack was surprising, leading to the death of 5 SPLM/A-IO soldiers.
“This surprised attack led to the lost of five SPLA-IO soldiers including the commander of the cantonment site. Much as the attackers are yet unknown, this attack amounts to violations of the permanent ceasefire that needs to be investigated.”
Lam calls upon the Joint Defense Board (JDB) and CTSAMVM to take immediate action and investigate the incident.
“The SPLA-IO calls upon the JDB and CTSAMVM to investigate this aggression and bring those responsible to books. The SPLA-IO remains committed to the implementation of the Security Arrangements but has the right to self-defense.”
He said the SPLM/A-IO has the right to self-defense. Whether the Armed Opposition will retaliate, he did not disclose.
South Sudan 2018 peace agreement is struggling to hold. According to recent UN reports, millions of South Sudanese could possibly face famine. Hundreds of thousands of civilians internally displaced and closed to 500,000 people died as the result of the civil war.