US vows to help Southern Sudan build a ‘professional’ army

January 28, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — The US administration today affirmed its commitment to helping Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) transform into a modernized army.

“We are privileged to partner with the SPLA in transforming it into a professional military force wholly accountable to its citizenry and able to serve all the people in defending the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Sudanese people” Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, said in a statement.

The top US diplomat for Africa made these remarks on the occasion of inaugurating an interim SPLA headquarters funded by Washington.

The statement on the US state Department website did not specify the location of the new buildings.

“These buildings are more than a new home for the leadership of the SPLA. They are a symbol of the partnership that exists between the people of Southern Sudan and the people of the United States of America” the statement read.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the civil war in Sudan provides for two armies in the North and the South with joint units in certain areas such as oil fields.

The Sudanese government at the time refused to fund the Southern army from the federal budget so a compromise was reached that will allow the South to receive military assistance from abroad.

Reuters reported last year that the US administration wanted to upgrade the capabilities of South Sudan army as part of a sanctions package against Khartoum for failing to halt the violence in the Western region of Darfur.

However a US official speaking to Sudan Tribune last April denied that the assistance to the SPLA was directed against Khartoum.

(ST)