S. Sudan army accuses Khartoum based airline company of aiding rebels ArticleComments (13). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Julius N. Uma November 1, 2011 (JUBA) — A senior official from South Sudan’s military intelligence has openly accused a Khartoum-based airline company of backing rebel groups intending to overthrow the southern government. Senior members of the SPLA during the signing of ceasefire agreement with rebel leader representative of Lt. General George Athor in Juba on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, four days before the referendum on self determination (AP)Khartoum and Juba trade regularly accusations of supporting rebel groups from both sides. Yesterday, Sudan’s defence minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein said Juba supported the South Kordofan and Blue Nile recent attacks carried by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North. Michael Mach, the director of military intelligence in the southern army told journalists on Tuesday that they had credible evidence that Sudan Airways could be providing both logistical and financial support to the various rebel militias opposed to Africa’s newest nation. "Some months back, we captured a helicopter which was ferrying arms to George Athor’s rebels fighting the government of South Sudan. The helicopter, which released on Monday, bears a trademark of Sudan Airways," Mach told reporters in Juba, the South Sudan capital. Athor, a former general in South Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) took up arms against the southern government after his failed bid to become the governor of Jonglei, the country’s largest state in the 2010 general elections. SPLA director for military intelligence further said the army was closely monitoring rebel movements across the country, taking a swipe at Sudan government for allegedly supporting south-based rebel movements. "We all know that the government in Khartoum has been involved in destabilizing South Sudan since the peace agreement was signed in 2005 and we have raised this issue with the international community several times," Mach added. Meanwhile, Phillip Aguer, the spokesperson of the southern army revealed that only 11 civilians were killed and 16 wounded while its army lost 10 men and four policemen during recent clashes with rebels in Unity state. Also, 32 rebels were allegedly killed. "South Sudan Liberation army rebels attacked Mayom town, the headquarters of Mayom County in Unity state and launched a surprise attack. Unfortunately they targeted innocent civilians, mainly children and women but were driven out by a combined force of the army and police," Aguer said. He identified the wife of Paulino Matip, South Sudan’s deputy chief of staff as one of those killed during the impromptu attack, which occurred over the weekend. The army spokesperson, however, cautioned the media fraternity to desist from advancing rebel "propaganda", likely to cause tension and fear among sections of the southern population. He said, "We urge the media to avoid relying on eye witness reports especially on figures, some of which are untrue. Always try to verify with the army and government officials on the ground." South Sudan, officially gained independence nearly three months ago after its populations overwhelmingly voted for separation in the self-determination referendum. The vote was a key part of the Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended over two decades of the North-South civil war. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
