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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 27335, member: 2262"] The White Army tribal fighters say they have no ties to First Vice President Riek Machar or his SPLA-opposition forces. These Nuer militia members defeated government troops last weekend in Nasir near the Ethiopian border. They killed several soldiers from the national army and took others as prisoners before they took control of the entire town. This attack created fear in the capital city of Juba. Government officials blamed SPLA-IO for helping these tribal fighters succeed. Information Minister Michael Makuei played a recording for reporters Wednesday claiming the White Army shouted pro-SPLA-IO slogans during their attack. The militia strongly denied these claims through a public statement. They made their position clear about recent events. The fighters stated they have zero connection with SPLM/A-IO. They also denied any link to Dr. Machar despite sharing his Nuer ethnic background. South Sudan remains divided mainly between Dinka people like President Kiir and Nuer people like Machar. The White Army described themselves as regular people who picked up guns because they needed protection. They said they fight as civilians, not as politicians. The militia accused government forces of terrible actions against local people. They claimed soldiers raped women, murdered elderly folks and children, stole cattle, and disrespected their community. The situation has created serious problems back in Juba. Government forces surrounded Machar's house and arrested important opposition leaders. They took both the SPLA-IO Chief of Staff Gabriel Duop Lam and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang. Duop Lam also served as Deputy Chief of Defense Forces for the barely unified national army before his arrest. [/QUOTE]

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