SUDAN, 27 JAN 2003 (16:12)
SPLA REBELS SUSPEND NEGOTIATIONS AFTER GOVERNMENTAL TROOPS RECONQUER LEER (BRIEF, POLITICS/ECONOMY)
Negotiations between the rebels of the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) and the government of Khartoum underway in Nairobi (Kenya). It was reported to MISNA by Cesare Mazzolari, Bishop of Rumbek. Bishop Mazzolari specified that following the reconquer of Leer (region of the Upper Nile, South Sudan) on behalf of the governmental troops, the historic leader of the SPLA John Garang, decided to suspend the negotiations and evaluate what action to take with his delegation. The taking of Leer (over 800km south of Khartoum) constitutes, in fact, a grave violation of the truce undersigned between the two parties in the past few months and opens the road for ulterior clashes. Yesterday throughout the entire day, Leer was theatre to violent fighting between the two parties. In the early hours of this morning, the rebels of the SPLA surrendered in front of the military superiority of the troops of Khartoum and abandoned the city. According to reports, the governmental soldiers are presently carrying out their offensive in the surrounding area. “A frightening military crisis is prospected”, declared Bishop Mazzolari. “We launch an appeal to the entire world, so they can intervene against this war. If the conflict spreads, there shall be more blood and there are all the conditions for a fight on large scale, which risks to throw southern Sudan into confusion”, added Bishop Mazzolari. (BP)
