SPLA Takes Control Of Wadkona Town In Upper Nile From SPLM-IO

Upper Nile's Minister of Information, Hon. Peter Hoth Tuac said: "In the morning of March 7, the SPLA felt frustrated over the continuous shelling attacks on their position in Renk Town. Therefore the SPLA responded to shell Wadakona on Friday, and eventually on Saturday our ground troops crossed to Wadakona to control it and liberated the innocent civilians in the area."

South Sudan warring parties have failed to bring a tangible peace deal which was expected on March 5, in Addis Ababa where the regional bloc of IGAD and international community pressed on the two rivaling principals, President Kiir and Dr Machar to bring the last peace accord and end the war or face looming sanctions.

In Upper Nile state, SPLM-IO fighters have been controlling three major towns; which serves as administrative headquarters for the three counties.

Maiwut, Longechuk and Wadakona have been under their control however, until last weekend Wadakona fell out, with SPLA-IO still holding only two counties in Upper Nile State as the government controls about 11 counties.

"The recent capturing of Wadakona town marks the beginning of rebel weakness in Northern Upper Nile Counties. And it is also true that the government is in position of taking all the administrative towns in the state. We are left to capture Maiwut and Longechuk county's headquarters," Tuac stated.

"Machar's fighters are being chased and pursued by the SPLA to the far tip of South Sudan and Sudan border areas. They are heading to the direction of Sudan. The SPLA entered the town and they were welcome by the citizens of Wadakona by jubilation and happiness. They felt that they were liberated. In fact the life of civilians has never been good."

Tuac warned that the SPLA government troops will clear out the SPLM-IO forces in the north of Upper Nile State in a short time unless they stop shelling and attacking the government positions.

"People have been celebrating all around during the weekend. People are happy because Wadakona is now under government forces. The stay of rebel fighters in Wadakona has disturbed peace in Renk town for almost a year now. Almost every week and we have shelling and bombs falling into our houses and onto the innocent population," said one of the residents of Renk town.