South Sudan blames rebels for shelling oil town of Renk
South Sudan says rebels are trying to capture Renk ahead of peace talks, blaming them for a shelling attack in the key northern oil town.
Defense Minister Kuol Manyang said Tuesday that rebels have hit several sites in Renk, located in the oil-rich Upper Nile state, by heavy shelling, both on Monday and Tuesday.
Noting that rebels were trying to capture more territory in order to increase their bargaining strength during the February 19 peace talks, Manyang said the rebel leader, Riek Machar, “says he will only sign a peace agreement when he is in control of a strategic town.”
The reported shelling resulted in the injury of “many civilians” and “destroying a number of houses,” Manyang said, adding, the number of fatalities has not been reported yet.
Manyang claimed that rebels were “mobilizing now to attack Bentiu,” the capital of Unity State, where a shelling attack was carried out on February 10.
Sudan’s turmoil
The world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, plunged into chaos in December 2013, after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy, Machar, of attempting to stage a coup. Fighting broke out between troops loyal to President Kiir and defectors led by Machar, around the capital, Juba.
Since then, forces loyal to each side have been engaged in fierce battle across the country, despite numerous ceasefire deals.
According to UN figures, more than half of South Sudan’s 12 million population are in dire need of humanitarian aid, with over 20 percent of people at risk of suffering from famine.
Although the UN has not reported an overall death toll, the International Crisis Group has estimated that at least 50,000 people have died in the conflict.
Final count-down to peace talks
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has set a March 5 deadline for Kiir and Machar to reach an ultimate truce. However, the two warring sides have repeatedly ignored previous deadlines, despite the threat of sanctions by IGAD.
The next round of peace talks is due to resume on February 19.
MIS/HSN
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