“These incidents always need investigation before people jump to conclusions because the issue in Jonglei State, in Pigi County, where the fighting erupted between the forces of Gabriel Tanginye and SPLA, only civilians caught up in crossfire were killed and there was no intention of killing civilians” – Army Spokesman Philip Aguer
–BY MABIOR PHILIP MACH–
The Amy has said it is the first guarantor of human rights and questioned the motive behind a report – accusing the military of killing civilians – that was released to coincide with Independence Day.
Fighting took place in areas of Greater Upper Nile and Greater Bahr el Gazel early in the year. Peter Gadet has also raided and killed people in Warrap state.
The alleged abuse of human rights took place during fights with militias in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states early in the year.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT
The Human Rights’ group, Amnesty International, in a report that coincided with the independence of South Sudan, said that the SPLA was responsible for “unlawful killing” of civilians and burning of homes.
The army spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer said he was puzzled that the report always blames the army while exonerating the militias, whom he says are the real face behind the massacres.
Aguer said if the army killed civilians in any encounter with the militias, then that was only in crossfire.
“These incidents always need investigation before people jump to conclusions because the issue in Jonglei State, in Pigi County, where the fighting erupted between the forces of Gabriel Tanginye and SPLA, only civilians caught up in crossfire were killed and there was no intention of killing civilians,” Aguer said.
He said in Mankien in Unity state, and in fighting with Olony in Upper Nile, in March, the army was in defensive position from the invading militias.
Aguer said that the army is being blamed for the burning of villages that was conducted by the militias in what appears to be a cover up of militia mayhem.
Aguer said the militias resorted to destruction after the army defeated them and was pushing them out of the area.
