The chief mediator of South Sudan’s peace talks has condemned as ‘outrageous’ a statement by the SPLM-IO military spokesman Lul Ruai, in which the latter claimed responsibility for a recent attack in Central Equatoria.

Lul Ruai said that SPLM-IO forces were responsible for an attack on the Nimule-Juba road and lauded the perpetrators of the attack. Another spokesman of the rebel movement yesterday contradicted Lul, saying they were not responsible.  

In a statement addressed to the opening session of the latest round of IGAD peace talks in Addis Ababa, IGAD Special Envoy Seyoum Mesfin referred to the 23 January agreement to end hostilities in South Sudan.

Article 2 of the agreement says that the parties shall cease hostile propaganda, including statements that may undermine the peace process or fan ethnic hatred.

“The SPLM/A in Opposition issued a statement two days ago in which their forces claimed to have escalated the conflict in Equatoria Region. Such actions are completely unacceptable and a direct violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement,” he said.

“The leaders of IGAD and the IGAD Special Envoys and the international community are profoundly disappointed by these outrageous actions by the parties,” he said, referring to Lul's statement as well as an earlier violation by government forces. 

Earlier in the same statement he urged South Sudanese not to be influenced by “rumors and unhelpful rhetoric of hatred and vengeance and to choose peace over war, harmony over division, creation over destruction, and empathy over hate.”

Related:

SPLM-IO denies Lul Ruai’s claim of attacking trade convoy on Nimule-Juba road (18 Dec.)

Two vehicles ambushed and torched on Nimule-Juba road (16 Dec.)

E Equatoria governor visits Pageri to calm tensions (12 Dec.)

Equatorian ex-SSDF commander meets associates in Kampala (23 Nov.)