Juba ceases air travel to conflict areas
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December 31, 2013 (JUBA) - South Sudan announced on Tuesday that its
is stopping commercial activities and air travels to areas the country
where the army is fighting rebels that have defected over the last two
weeks of conflict.
The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that for
the"for the safety of the passengers and the staff of the commercial
flight operators which goes to Bor, Panyagor, Akobo and all other
areas, had been stopped until further notice. We regret for
inconveniences this note may cause to the clients of the airline
operators."
The statement did not elaborate on what prompted the decision,
although it could be linked to reports that, Bor, the Jonglei state
capital had once again fallen to armed forces loyal to the former vice
president Riek Machar.
Bor fell to forces under the command of Peter Gadet Yak on 18 December
after he defected from the eighth division of the South Sudanese army
(SPLA). Gadet’s defection followed reports that members of his Nuer
tribe were being targetted in the capital, Juba, following an alleged
attempted coup on 15 December.
The SPLA retook Bor on 24 December but on Tuesday South Sudan’s
information and broadcasting minister Michael Makuei said fighting for
Bor was ongoing and that the rebels had advanced towards the centre of
the town.
Colonel Philip Aguer, the SPLA’s spokesperson did not comment on the
situation to Sudan Tribune but multiple officials and residents of Bor
town have confirmed that government forces are clashing with a group
of armed civilians known as the White Army.
The White Army predominantly consists of members of Lou Nuer and
Gawaar sections of the Nuer ethnic group - South Sudan’s second
largest tribe.
With no direct command, the group often exploits political and
military differences within established institutions to take revenge
for previous communal clashes, which usually occur over local
resources, including cattle theft, land or access to water and
pastures during dry seasons.
The rebellion has also taken control of Unity state, as well as parts
of Upper Nile state. The UN says that over 1,000 people have died and
more than 180,000 people displaced by the fighting.
AIRLINES CEASE OPERATIONS
South Supreme airline has confirmed it is ceasing operations to
Jonglei state but added that it remains operational in all the other
areas of South Sudan except Unity state and some parts of Upper Nile
state.
"South Supreme airline is operational in the whole country except
areas where we have been advised by the Civil Aviation Authority",
Ayii Duang Ayii, executive director of the company said.
Ayii says his airline is still flying from South Sudan to Uganda,
Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.
In the first days of the conflict Juba International Airport was
closed but since then thousands of foreign nationals and South
Sudanese have fled the country. But many people are still struggling
to leave the country.
"I want to take my small son and wife to Uganda, but it’s becoming
difficult getting a ticket. People are scrambling to buy for tickets,"
Dominic Samuel, told Sudan Tribune.
Samuel, who is from Western Equatoria state and works for a relief
organisation in Jonglei said that he was struggling to buy a ticket
for his family because of the exorbitant cost.
"The politicians are making life difficult for us. Now the ticket you
could get at the cost of 150 dollars is now 500 dollars and there are
people willing to pay. So we are forced to buy it," he said.
Samuel says he fears using road transport because of security reasons
and high number of traffic accidents in South Sudan due to poor roads
and reckless driving. Some drivers he said were driving faster than
normal in the hope of making many trips while people are still
struggling to leave South Sudan.
"My son is small and the mother is expecting as you can see. She can’t
travel by road," he said.
(ST)
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