The Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) accused the SSPDF of forcibly evicting its forces from Nyuel-Nyuel military barracks in Unity State.

SPLA-IO Deputy Spokesperson, Maj. Yai Pazale, told South Sudanese local press that the removal of SPLA-IO soldiers came after the area governor, Dr Joseph Manytuil, held a meeting with the commander of the Fourth Infantry Division and directed him to order SPLA-IO forces to vacate the area.

“On January 12, 2023, Governor Manytuil held a meeting with SSPDF’s Division 4A commander, Maj. Gen. Mayak and directed and ordered him to go to Nyuel-Nyuel with the state security advisor, Salam Maluit. Nyuel-Nyuel was SPLA-IO military base during the conflict. But during the revitalised peace agreement, we all used to move together, both the SPLA-IO and the SPLM-IG forces,” Pazale said.

He added, “Yesterday [Monday], we don’t know what happened; we were surprised. We are in Tong and they did not consult SPLA-IO Division 4A commander, Maj. Gen. Turuk Khor and did not inform SPLA-IO sector-II commander either.”

He narrated that “upon their arrival at Nyuel-nyuel, the SSPDF Fourth Infantry commander and Unity State’s security advisor, Salam Maluit, failed to meet Maj. Gen. Moses Ruai Khor who is in charge of the base.” He alleged that the meeting aimed at ironing out the issue failed to continue because “they refused to talk to the base commander.”

Pazale noted that after the SPLA-IO commander, Maj. Gen. Khor saw their intention and he refused to leave the military barrack.

According to Pazale, Maj. Gen. Manyang left for Nooru-Kuur, where Maj. Gen. Tito Biel’s forces are based after failing to understand agree with Maj. Gen. Moses Ruai, adding that when he returned to Bentiu, he met governor Manytuil and informed him about the situation in Nyuel-nyuel.

He alleged that the Maj. Gen. Manyang is planning to bring reinforcement from the Fourth Infantry Division forces in Parieng, adding that governor Manytuil assured the Fourth Infantry commander to sort-out the issue “within two days.”

“When Manyang came back from Nyuel-nyuel, he met with the governor Nguen Manytuil, and he [told] them that he would see what he can do in two days, and that they will bring a force from Parieng to evict the SPLA-IO forces in Nyuel-nyuel by force,” he said.

He further stated that incase of any attack they will respond, noting that SPLA-IO has been fully respecting the implementing of the peace agreement but the SSPDF keeps violating it.

Nyuel-nyuel was a base for the SPLA-IO forces before being converted into a joint base accommodating both SPLA-IO and SSPDF forces after the signing of the revitalised peace agreement. It lies along South Sudan’s northern border with Sudan.

However, Unity State’s Information Minister, Gai Jiekjor, said he was not aware of the alleged plan to forcefully evict SPLA-IO forces.  Jiekjor said the name of the base was fictitious as he had never heard about it.

“Where did the SPLA-IO say they were forced to leave? because there’s no place called Nyuel-nyuel in Bentiu. They should tell us where Nyuel-nyuel is located,” he stated.