Sudan’s Kiir cuts South African visit short after Malakal fighting
Dec 1, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — First Vice-President and President of the government of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit cut short his visit to South Africa and returned to Juba yesterday to assess the security situation in Malakal.
In a press statement upon his arrival at Juba airport, Kiir said he had decided to cut his visit short after the clashes between SPLM forces and an armed militia in the Upper Nile State.
Kiir who charged his deputy in the Southern Sudan government to visit the town, is expected to go to Malakal on Sunday.
On the other hand a high ranking delegation from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) accompanied the state minister at the presidency Idris Mohamed Abdelgadir to Juba. The delegation discussed with Kiir ways to prevent reproduction of such situation in the future and the urgent measure to be taken.
In Malakal where the calm has returned, there is an acute shortage of food following clashes that rocked the town this week. Officials say running water and electricity will be restored soon. However, most people are still too scared to venture out of their homes or shelters.
According to the Sudan Radio Service, the government of Upper Nile State appealed to traders and merchants to open their shops and sell food and other necessities, but merchants are reluctant to reopen their businesses for fear of looters.
Colonel Tang Wal of the SPLA said that under the terms of the current ceasefire agreement, the SPLA and the (SAF) have agreed to go back to their bases. He further added one of the militia officers at the centre of the conflict, Maj-Gen Thomas Mabor Dhol, will depart Malakal for Khartoum to be formally integrated into the SAF.
At the same time, militia loyal to Gabriel Gatwic, or Tanginya, will also be fully integrated into the SAF but will continue to be stationed in Malakal town.
Medical authorities denied the estimation of 300 killed in the fighting. There is still no official number. Police are collecting the bodies of those killed during the fighting.
However, Dr Tut Jong of Malakal Teaching Hospital says five civilians and two soldiers who were among the wounded died last night, in addition to 81 other people who have died from their wounds in that hospital alone.
(ST)