Lul Ruai Koang, military spokesperson for South Sudanese forces loyal to Riek Machar, denied that rebel soldiers recently captured near Renk were in possession of a Sudanese flag.

Lul told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that the display of three rebel captives with a Sudanese flag on the state-owned SSTV recently was an attempt by the government to smear the SPLM-In Opposition’s image.

“We previously captured Malakal, Bor and Bentiu town, but we did not hoist the Sudanese flag,” he said.

Lul alleged that SPLM-Juba forces loyal to Salva Kiir had captured ten total rebels after clashes around Renk, but executed seven of them.

He said the seven were a mix of Dinka, Shilluk, and Murle, and that “the government forces have spared three Nuer captives to prove that the opposition fighters are from the Nuer tribe only.”

According to article 13 of the Geneva Convention, "prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."

Lul also charged that SPLM-Juba forces shelled rebel positions at Abu Kadhra and Wadakona, noting that such attacks contradict ongoing negotiations in Ethiopia.

File photo: SPLM-IO faction commander Riek Machar in Jonglei State earlier this year (Reuters)

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