S. Sudan rebels deny destroying oil-field facilities

January 24, 2015 (KAMPALA) - South Sudan’s armed opposition office in Uganda dismissed as "rubbish" Juba’s allegations that the former set on fire oil facilities in oil-rich Unity state this week.

David Otim (R), principal representative for the SPLM/A in Opposition in Uganda, and Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, chairman for the rebel faction’s national committee for political mobilisation, speak at a press conference in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on 22 Septemeber 2014 (ST)

Juba accused rebels of burning an oil facility under their control in Unity state, including oil installations in Pariang county, reportedly set alight on Monday.

But David Otim, the head of rebels’ diplomatic office in Uganda refuted government’s claims, describing it as propaganda to tarnish the opposition’s image.

"Reports we received from the militarily on ground indicate the government was responsible for the violation by trying to regain more territories under our forces", said Otim.

"That one is a desperate militarily maneuver from the defeated forces of President Salva Kiir. Our forces have never attacked any oil installation," he added.

The rebel official, however, insisted military options would not resolve the ongoing conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million.

The latest incident comes after South Sudan army (SPLA) downplayed threats from rebel forces earlier this month, saying it remains in full control of oil fields in both Unity and Upper Nile states.

South Sudan’s oil production has decreased to one quarter of its usual output since conflict broke out in mid-December 2013 following an internal political dispute in the ruling SPLM party.

Production has ceased in Unity state and only barrels in Upper Nile are functional, according to officials.

The latest incident violates an agreement brokered by China in Khartoum on 12 January in which both government and rebel forces committed to protecting oil facilities and foreign workers.

China is the largest investor in South Sudan’s oil industry, the country’s main source of revenue.

Although peace talks between the warring parties, which are being mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have so far failed to yield a lasting political settlement to the crisis, despite growing international pressure for both sides to set aside their differences.

This week, however, three factions of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed an agreement seeking to reunify the rank and file of its leadership and membership, pledging to work together for reforms and national unity.

The accord, signed in Arusha, Tanzania, serves as a roadmap towards ending the violent conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted millions others from their homes when political debates on reforms within the SPLM party turned violent.

(ST)