Fresh fighting between southern militias and SPLA threatens peace process
KHARTOUM, Feb 03, 2004 (dpa/ST) — Nearly 50 people have been killed in renewed fighting between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and pro- government southern Sudanese militias in the Upper Nile region of Sudan, according to Sudanese officials yesterday.
The clashes are another blow to the increasingly shaky Sudanese peace process, following the unexpected suspension of peace talks between the SPLA and the Sudanese government in Kenya last week.
SPLA forces are said to have attacked pro-government militia troops in the government-controlled counties of Ogot, Nakdiar and Panyikango, around the Upper Nile state capital of Malakal.
Militia sources said 12 soldiers died in Ogot, while fighting in Panyikango and Nakdiar claimed 18 and 11 lives respectively.
No comment was available from the SPLA side.
Officials said fighting began when forces loyal to southern leader and former Minister of Transport Lam Akol overran a government garrison in the town of Tonga, killing eight and wounding dozens.
Last October Lam Akol rejoined the SPLM/A, after been prohibited from visiting his forces in Upper Nil state.
Governor of Upper Nile State Dak Dwop Bishok downplayed the significance of the fighting, and told Deutsche Presse-Agenter that the ongoing insurgencies had nothing to do with the government.
He warned that the Sudanese army would intervene if the situation continued to deteriorate.
Some wounded had been taken by military plane for treatment in Khartoum. Roads leading in and out of Malakal have been closed to civilian traffic.
A planned visit to the Upper Nile town of Nasser by officials from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was called off due to security concerns.
Hundreds of villagers, forced out of their homes by the outbreak of clashes, are taking refuge in the town.
The renewed fighting will adversely affect the work of NGOs in the region, an official told dpa on condition of anonymity.
Rumours of new offensives are rife in Malakal amid the apparent movement of reinforcements by both sides. Militia Commander James Othow declined to comment on the latest fighting, but advised against travel outside the town on security grounds.
The clashes have provoked despair amid citizens of the region and dampened hopes that recent progress in the peace process, including a deal on the sharing of oil wealth, would draw a line under Africa’s longest-running civil war.
“We are very, very depressed with the renewed fighting”, said 55- year-old Nyakal Akot, questioning the ability of the international community to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table.
Regional analysts estimate that there are about 35 militia groups in southern Sudan, most of them fear that peace in Sudan would prevent them from privileges and facilities given by Sudanese government. They asked government to be associated to peace talks.