JUBA – South Sudan’s foremost opposition group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), mentioned safety forces in Unity State blocked the launch of its county secretariat in Rubkona on Saturday, violating the revitalized peace settlement.
Dhoal Koryom, SPLM-IO spokesman in Unity State, mentioned safety forces, together with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), police, National Security Service (NSS), and different forces, had been deployed to forestall supporters from attending the occasion.
“The SPLM-IO was to launch the SPLM-IO County Secretariat in Rubkona County, but unfortunately the Governor of the Unity State had instructed all the security organs…to block the launch,” Koryom mentioned.
He mentioned all routes resulting in the venue had been closely secured, stopping supporters from attending.
Koryom accused Unity State Governor Riek Bim, a member of the ruling SPLM faction below President Salva Kiir, of orchestrating the disruption regardless of prior notification. He mentioned the SPLM-IO had formally notified the governor of the deliberate launch.
“The Governor of the Unity State is clearly acting contrary with the spirit of peace…He was officially notified by the SPLM-IO on the launch…and yet decided to act aggressively,” Koryom added.
There was no quick remark from the Unity State authorities.
This is the newest reported disruption of an opposition occasion by safety forces. Previous incidents embrace disruptions in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, the place opposition officers had been allegedly overwhelmed and threatened.