Addis Ababa, August 6, 2015 (SSNA) -- The leadership of the armed opposition led by South Sudan’s Former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has strongly condemned Juba’s decision to block all humanitarian aid and access to the displaced South Sudanese.
“SPLM/SPLA-[in Opposition] leadership condemns the decision by the regime in Juba which has blocked humanitarian access to the suffering people in South Sudan. This is a continuation of Salva Kiir’s undeclared policy of genocide against populations in the three states of greater Upper Nile region,” the statement reads in part.
“The regime is starving these populations as another weapon of war to kill thousands more. The pretext that our forces have been attacking barges which had been carrying relief assistance is false,” the document further stated.
In the document, the SPLM/A-IO leadership revealed that Juba is currently delivering heavy weaponry, munitions, and soldiers on the Nile River, raining fear that the war could soon escalate despite the resumption of the IGAD-Plus’s peace talks. Rebels also alleged that government troops are building barges along the River Nile to use for attacks against rebel positions in Panyijiar and Phom Al Zeraf counties.
The armed opposition further calls on the international community to denounce what it described as “decision that aims to starve the people to death,” warning that any attempt by Juba to attack their outposts could spoil the ongoing peace talks in Ethiopia.