VP Machar’s office denies claims of weapons in Khartoum residence
April 17, 2012 (JUBA) – The office of the vice president of South Sudan,Riek Machar, has denied Sudan’s claims of weapons discovered in his house in Khartoum. South Sudan’s vice president, Riek Machar (Reuters) Khartoum’s intelligence and security service on Sunday vandalized Machar’s house in Khartoum, taking cars and furniture from the residence. They also arrested seven people including a young girl and a 15 year old boy who was recovering from illness. South Sudan’s government condemned the action by the Khartoum’s security agents and urged for the release of the arrested people. Khartoum justified its action, saying the security personnel had discovered a number of weapons and some documents in the house which they said indicated plots against Sudan’s government. The alleged findings were displayed on Sudan TV on Monday and Tuesday. The office of the Vice President on Tuesday dismissed the allegations. Machar’s press secretary, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune that Khartoum’s claims were "concocted", saying there were no weapons stored in the house. He also said the victimized students who stayed in the house did so like any other 7,000 South Sudanese students who still live in Sudan. He added that Khartoum’s recent unjust action, which coincided with the events at the borders, could be an expression of frustration due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries over the ownership of Heglig. Machar, who is currently in the Unity state’s capital, Bentiu, has been there for the last 11 days on peace mission to reconcile the three states of Warrap, Unity and Lakes. He was already in Bentiu for two days since Saturday when the clashes erupted on Tuesday in Heglig between the two neighboring countries. (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.
