The SPLA has dismissed claims by a human rights body that the army was involved in unlawful killings of civilians and the destruction of property while chasing militias.
Amnesty International released a report on the eve of South Sudan’s independence saying hundreds of civilians were killed and over 10,000 displaced by intense fighting between the SPLA and armed opposition groups in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states.SPLA spokesperson Col. Phillip Aguer Panyang told SCR News that any accusation against the army must be investigated first.
He challenged Amnesty’s researchers to visit the states mentioned in their report and carry out first hand assessment of the situations on the ground.
Asked why the army has taken long to send an investigative panel on the ground, Col. Aguer said the government is responsible for the investigations.
He added that he did not believe that the SPLA was engaged in unlawful behavior.
Government’s spokesperson Barnaba Marial Benjamin said he had no information of any investigative panel on the ground.
Mayom County former commissioner Charles Machieng Kuol alleged that on May 21 the SPLA destroyed many houses as it flashed Peter Gadet’s militias out of the area.
Unity state Governor Taban Deng sacked Mr. Machieng charging him with false accusations against the SPLA.