A spokesperson for the South Sudanese rebel group SPLM-IO has refuted earlier statements by the group’s own military spokesman Lul Ruai claiming responsibility for an attack on commercial vehicles on the Juba-Nimule road on Monday evening.

Local sources in Eastern Equatoria state confirmed that two vehicles were burnt and two drivers injured in the incident on Monday night. SPLM-IO military spokesman Lul Ruai claimed responsibility saying, “Our forces under the leadership of General Martin Kenyi launched an attack between Nimule and Juba.”

SPLM-IO deputy spokesman Manawa Peter Gatkuoth denied this, pointing out that the Movement’s leadership has not backed Ruai’s claims and insisting that SPLM-IO is not responsible for the incident.

“No, the movement did not carry out this incident,” he said in an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday.  

Lul Ruai had claimed the attack was part of a military offensive to close the supply route between Juba and Uganda. In a press released titled “It has exploded today in Equatoria,” he said, “SPLM/SPLA [IO] have now closed the Nimule-Juba road to traffic.”

But Manawa Peter Gatkuoth clarified that SPLM-IO’s political leadership have not yet met to make a statement either refuting or confirming the claims of Lul Ruai.

“The event was an isolated one… until now there has not been confirmation from the ground from the military spokesman, then we will make a final statement, to give a full and clear picture,” he said.

Gatkuoth stressed that SPLM-IO does not target trade convoys, reiterating their commitment to the ceasefire deal. He also contradicted Lul Ruai’s claim that Martin Kenyi is part of SPLM-IO, saying he is an ally but not one of their commanders.

Earlier a source close to General Martin Kenyi told Radio Tamazuj that Kenyi had not joined SPLM-IO. The Equatorian military leader has not made any statement announcing his allegiance to Riek Machar. Nor has he claimed responsibility for the attack carried out on Monday night on the Nimule-Juba road.

In an interview, Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Information Mark Akio Ukinbul said it was not known who carried out the attack on the road: “The security organs are still trying to established the facts as to who did that.”

Related:

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.)