The son of Dr. John Garang the SPLA founder, Mabior Garang de Mabior has denied claims that the rebels of Dr. Riek Machar have been targeting and abducting Ugandan businessmen and women for ransom.
Mabior Garang, who is the SPLA in Opposition’s Chairperson for Communications described the allegations in a press statement on Thursday as the “counter insurgency” tactics by President Salva Kiir’s administration.
“The SPLM/SPLA(IO) condemns the continued belligerence and negative propaganda by the regime in Juba, which continues to escalate the war in the country in particular the Greater Equatoria Region,” part of the statement read.
According to Mabior who is known for spending part of his time in Uganda, the Juba administration is engineering the situation to spark diplomatic row between Kampala and the rebels.
“The SPLM/SPLA(IO) rejects claims that its forces have taken Ugandans hostage and are demanding ransom, this is part of the counter insurgency tactics of the regime in Greater Equatoria intended to lure the Republic of Uganda into the conflict.”
He stressed that the fact that the government of Kiir has rejected the calls for independent probe means it is hiding something.
“The deception is demonstrated by the refusal of the regime to grant access to independent investigators to access the scene of these alleged crimes.”
The rebel Spokesman challenged the government to adduce evidence implicating the SPLA-IO in abducting Ugandans.
“We challenge the regime in Juba to produce the evidence of the said SPLM/SPLA(IO) Officers intercepted in the alleged ransom calls, if they are not indeed their own agents.”
The statement concluded by appealing to Uganda to persuade Juba to abandon war.
“The SPLM/SPLA(IO) calls on the Government of Uganda to play a positive role in this conflict by persuading the regime in Juba to denounce violence and their futile pursuit of a military victory over the SPLM/SPLA(IO); it is impossible.”