SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...

South SudanArmy Oppose The Proposed Number Of Presidential Protection Unit



The demand by the IO for 12,000 joint unit force for the protection of the Vice President which financially is impossible says SSPDF. 
The revitalized peace agreement calls for a joint VIP protection force comprising of both the SSPDF and the IO the only loophole left was the number of the protection Unit was not specified. 
He added that "Currently, a government-formed troop comprising of 350 soldiers is waiting for its SPLA-IO counterpart at the Rajaf Police Academy to embark on training exercises."
“Our position is that in theory, we are in agreement with SPLAM- IO but in practice, it’s very difficult for a force of between 10 to 12000 to be cantoned.” adds SSPDF spoke person. 
“To be subjected through selection processes to be trained, deployed within the stipulated period of time will pose a huge logistical, financial, infrastructural and trained manpower challenges, as well as time,” he added.
More to follow shortly.... 

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