Machar calls on youth to join the army and defend the nation JUBA, 19 April 2012 – South Sudan’s Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has urged the youth in the ten states of South Sudan to join the army amidst signs of further escalating border conflict with Sudan.
Deadliest clashes since South Sudan became independent in July last year sparked on Tuesday last week in the disputed oil-rich Panthou area, commonly known as Heglig, with both sides accusing the other of starting the fighting and claiming the ownership of the area. On Sunday the fighting spread to another front in Kuek area of Upper Nile state, east of Heglig where the South Sudan army reported repulsing an attack by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). On Wednesday it also reported another attack on its forces in Northern Bahr al Ghazal state, west of Heglig. Dr. Machar on Wednesday visited Raja County in Western Bahr el Ghazal state at the border with Southern Darfur region where he visited a number of villages at the extreme border area, assuring the populations of protection by the South Sudan army. He said Khartoum has imposed war on South Sudan and refused to negotiate on the issues of border demarcations in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. While the two countries agreed in principle on the 80% of the 2,000km long borderline, they have not agreed on the remaining 20%, including Heglig. Heglig which was a contested area between Abyei region in Southern Kordofan and Pariang County in Unity state was found to be falling outside of Abyei region by the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2009. The court did not however demarcate the Sudan-South Sudan borders to determine to which side of the border Heglig falls, leaving both sides claiming the area. On Monday and Tuesday the Vice President further toured a number of sites in Warrap, Unity and Lakes state, urging the youth to stop inter-communal cattle raiding and join the army to defend the country from the invading SAF forces. During his visits he also called on communities in the states to reconcile their differences and prepare for the peace and reconciliation conference rescheduled to take place by the end of April. Machar is currently in Rumbek, Lakes state capital, and toured a number of locations in the state on Thursday. Reported by James Gatdet Dak, Vice President’s Press Secretary “We are not surprised by being declared Sudan enemy”, Dr. Marial JUBA, 18 April 2012 - The government of the Republic of South Sudan is not surprised by Sudan’s declaration of South Sudan as its enemy number one, a government official has said. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the official government spokesman while reacting to the media reports that Sudan’s parliament in its sittings on Monday declared South Sudan as its enemy number one, said Khartoum is formalizing a position they had taken long time ago when it declared Jihad (holy wars) against the people of South Sudan. “A holy war has been declared against us before, we are been called infidels, this is not new”, said Dr Marial. He wondered how Sudan can call South Sudan that is a multi-religious country as infidels when there are many southern Muslims. Dr Marial who is also the Information and Broadcasting minister reiterated the position of the government saying the people of South Sudan will not at any time look at Sudan as its enemy due to its long history and long common border. He said Sudanese nationals are brothers and sisters of the new Republic of South Sudan. Dr. Marial rubbished claims by the ruling National Congress Party in Khartoum that they will change the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement led government in Juba. “The leadership of the government of South Sudan is a democratically elected government and it can only be changed by the will of the people of the Republic of Sudan through peaceful election”, Dr. Marial asserted. He said the government of the Republic of South Sudan will always protect is territorial integrity and its people when aggressed. Reported by Matata Safi -- 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.
