Bari Community leaders refute claims of support to NAS rebels

The Bari Community leaders has dismissed army claimed that some villages in Central Equatoria are hosting National Salvation Front (NAS) rebels.

The Chairperson of the Bari Community, Stephen Pitia Lako says the statement from the South Sudan Defense Forces accusing them is politically motivated.

Pitia condemned and dismissed the statement by the Spokesperson saying it is irresponsible and unproven.

He says this fallacy against the Bari people living in those areas mentioned by SSPDF Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai  Koang is discriminatory.

Stephen Pitia says that all the areas mentioned by General Lul Ruai are all occupied by Bari natives and they neither have connection nor host NAS rebels.

The Chairperson calls for the withdrawal of the SSPDF forces in both the Eastern and Western sides of the Nile.

He says the presence of the SSPDF forces deployed in those areas is posing more threats to the indigenous people and restricting the movement of the local population.

The Chairperson of the Bari Community demands that the statement from the army is investigated.

He calls on the government from all the levels of governance and non-governmental organisations to rescue the displaced persons with humanitarian assistance.

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces has issued statement in December alleging the presence of NAS rebels in Bari Villages on the Eastern side of the river Nile.