UNISFA suspends fights after rebel attack on Kadugli airport - report
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July 3, 2013 (KHARTOUM) - The shelling of Kadugli airport by Sudanese
rebels caused the cancellation of border monitoring flights which are
part of security arrangements between Khartoum and Juba.
JPEG - 54.4 kb
125 Indian Force Reserve Battalion troops arrive by helicopter in
Abyei to reinforce UNMIS forces already on the ground in Abyei on 24
May 2011 (photo UN)
On 14 June, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N)
launched a rocket attack on Airport Kadugli, hitting the headquarters
of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). One
soldier was killed and two others wounded.
The attack "led to the suspension of flights between Kadugli and
Abyei, and the cancellation of all Joint Border Verification and
Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) flights in the border region, hindering
UNISFA from carrying out its mandate", disclosed a report of the Small
Arms Survey released on Wednesday.
The (JBVMM), which is based in Kadugli, is composed of 860 Ethiopian
troops from the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). The force
with 90 monitors from Sudan and South Sudan patrol the common border
to verify the movement of troops from both sides after the
establishment of a buffer zone.
UN Security Council on 29 May extended UNISFA mandate for six months,
and increased its troops by more than 1,100 personnel to allow it to
protect the monitors and to fulfil its mandate on Abyei alike.
Khartoum which accuses Juba of supporting the SPLM-N decided last
month to suspend the implementation of the cooperation agreements and
stop the flow of the South Sudanese oil through its pipelines within
60 days if it continues its alleged support to the rebels.
The two countries, however, agreed on 1 July to fully implement all
the provisions of cooperation agreements including the security
measures and to activate a joint committee to examine claims of
support to rebels from both sides.
Analysts agree that if oil exportation is Juba’s top priorities, the
insurgency in the Two Areas and Darfur remains the main concern for
Khartoum government.
Ahmed Ibrahim Tahir, speaker of the National Assembly, warned on
Wednesday that the coalition of rebel groups, Sudanese Revolutionary
Front (SRF), plans to carry out new attacks during the upcoming
period.
He called on the legislators to continue the mobilization campaign
launched after the capture of Abu Kershola last April and to join
personally the ranks of the Popular Defence Forces.
He stressed that the calm on the front with the rebels does not mean
the disappearance of security threat or that the rebels changed their
plans aiming to overthrow the regime, adding that the rebels plan to
carry out new attacks and to extend the areas of conflicts.
Last May after the recapture of Abu Kershola by the Sudanese army, SRF
rebels said they prepare a "plan B" and they intend to extend the
field of attacks into new regions as part of their war of attrition
before to attack the capital.
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