The SPLA has dismissed accusations from the northern army that it attacked SAF troops north of Abyei town leaving many dead.
UNMIS said unknown gunners yesterday attacked a column of 200 SAF JIU military being escorted out of Abyei by peacekeepers.SAF spokesperson Al-Sawarmi Khalid Sa’ad said the SPLA ambushed the military convoy.
SPLA spokesperson Col. Phillip Aguer told SCR News over the phone that the accusations were a pretext and tossed the blame back to SAF.
He added that the fighting started when someone shot from the convoy and JIU’s from the SPLA fired back.
Mr. Aguer asked for an independent investigation of the incident.
SAF said that the attack was a clear aggression and a violation of the CPA by the SPLA against the armed forces and the UN.
It added that UN observers testified to this incident.
However, the UNMIS spokesperson, Kouider Zerrouk told SCRN News from Khartoum that the identity of the assailants was not yet established.
The SAF declared that it reserves its full right to respond to the aggression on its troops in the right time and place.
The North and South signed a security accord in Kadugli last January to withdraw all illegal forces from Abyei area except authorised JIUs.
UNMIS issued a press statement strongly condemning the attack in an area controlled by South Sudan Police Services.