South Sudan rivals trade blame for new atrocities

South Sudanese taking refuge in the Malakal Catholic Church, as they flee fighting between rebels and government forces. Rebel forces in South Sudan launched a major assault early on February 18, 2014 against the key town of Malakal, the government-controlled capital of the oil-rich Upper Nile state, witnesses told AFP. AFP PHOTO / CHARLES LOMODONG

By  AFP

What you need to know:

  • The rebels are alleged to "have killed people in the hospital, have killed people in the church."
  • According to reports from independent sources, the town has been left littered with dead bodies.
  • The rebels appear to be controlling the north and centre of Malakal, including the airport, while government troops are positioned in the south.

JUBA

South Sudan's army and rebels are trading accusations over new atrocities reported to have been committed during heavy fighting over the key oil hub of Malakal.

The country's army spokesman said the town remained divided, and that government troops loyal to President Salva Kiir were preparing to try and force out the rebels allied to ex-vice president Riek Machar.

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"It is a contested town, and you may expect gunfire at any moment. The SPLA will resolve this mess at any moment," army spokesman Philip Aguer told AFP.

The rebels, he alleged, "have killed people in the hospital, have killed people in the church."

Thousands of rebels marched into the dusty settlement on Tuesday, in defiance of a ceasefire signed in neighbouring Ethiopia on January 23.

CIVILIANS KILLED IN HOLY SITES

In a statement, the rebels' military spokesman said his side "were not in any way responsible for (the) alleged killing of civilians that took cover in holy places and other sites" when thousands of opposition fighters entered the town.

"Our forces are well disciplined, operate under clear Rules of Engagement, and are under strict orders not to attack or target non-military targets," said the spokesman, Lul Ruai Koang, blaming the retreating government forces for any civilian deaths.

According to reports from independent sources, the town has been left littered with dead bodies.

The rebels appear to be controlling the north and centre of Malakal, including the airport, while government troops are positioned in the south.

CRUCIAL OIL FIELDS

Aid workers have also cited unconfirmed reports of civilians being killed in a church and in their homes, although there was no clear indication of how many people had been killed.

Aguer said on Wednesday that government forces were still in charge of Upper Nile state's crucial oil fields.

The unrest in South Sudan, the world's newest nation, has left thousands dead and displaced close to 900,000 people, including tens of thousands who have crammed into UN bases in fear of ethnic attacks by either President Kiir's Dinka tribe or Machar's Nuer tribe.

The conflict broke out in the capital Juba on December 15 amid tensions within the ruling party, but quickly spread across the country.

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