JUBA: South Sudan’s government urged opposition forces to halt fighting on Tuesday, saying a rebel advance and ongoing clashes that have already caused mass displacement in Jonglei state threatened to reignite civil war.
The clashes pitting government forces against fighters loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) are occurring at a scale not seen since 2017, according to the United Nations.
The government said its forces had repelled rebel advances in Jonglei, which stretches from the border with Ethiopia to central South Sudan.
“The ongoing security operation in Northern Jonglei State is a lawful and necessary measure aimed at halting the advance of rebel forces, restoring public order, and safeguarding civilians,” information minister and government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said in a statement.
“The Government calls upon the SPLM/A in Opposition to immediately cease hostilities... Any actions that undermine the (2018) Agreement pose a serious threat to peace and jeopardize the ongoing transitional process,” he added.
