South Sudan’s army spokesman, Philip Aguer, confirmed yesterday that Boma, a strategic, wildlife-rich region in Jonglei state, was captured by the rebel forces of David Yau Yau.

In a statement to Radio Tamazuj, Aguer denied that the army was defeated and dismissed the insurgents’ allegations that 50 soldiers were killed.  Instead, he argued that the army withdrew from the area and accused the Sudanese government of backing the group.

“What happened is there was an attack on Boma area by militias affiliated to insurgent David Yau Yau and there were only 105 SPLA forces and after there was high pressure on them, the area military commander commanded the forces to withdraw and move on the mountain and the forces are now on Boma Mountain … Because some forces have withdrawn even before clashes as when Yau Yau forces reached the military camp which was under the mountain they didn’t find any resistance before forces were getting up to the mountain.” relayed the spokesman.

All the weapons and ammunition held by the rebels, Aguer claims, were sentby Khartoum and are the same as those used by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

Sudan and South Sudan both confirmed in March that they were not supporting proxy militia groups on the opposite side of the border, in spite of earlier accusations by both parties to the contrary.

File photo: Phillip Aguer, South Sudan army spokesman (gurtong.net)