Juba, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The South Sudanese army on Monday directed its soldiers to cease hostilities against opposition forces under the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO).

Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF), said Chief of Defense Forces Paul Nang issued the directive, which applies specifically to opposition soldiers around the capital, Juba, who are in designated cantonment areas or engaged in routine activities.

"The SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces would like to renew calls for the rank and file of SPLM/A-IO soldiers, specifically those who had gone into hiding and the ones scattered all over, to report to the nearest government/SSPDF barracks in order to resume their normal duties," the statement said.

The directive follows deadly clashes between the two forces since March 25 at various training and cantonment centers in Juba, Upper Nile State and Western Equatoria State.

Opposition soldiers stationed around Juba have been ordered to report to the Digali Training Center for further instructions. Meanwhile, the army has mandated the registration of civilian-held firearms and restricted the movement of off-duty security personnel carrying guns.

Tensions escalated after an early March attack by the White Army, aligned with the SPLM/A-IO, on a military base in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.

On March 7, the White Army killed several SSPDF soldiers and a general who were being evacuated by the United Nations in the volatile town of Nasir. The incident prompted the arrest of several high-ranking SPLM/A-IO officials in Juba. Enditem

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