SPLM denies links to weapons ship hijacked off Somalia
September 27, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People Liberation Movement dismissed any connection with a Ukrainian ship loaded with tanks and ammunition that was hijacked off Somalia’s coasts on Thursday.
Some reports have suggested that the cargo had been destined for South Sudan semi-autonomous government, but Kenyan officials denied that and said that they were the recipients of the shipment.
But Major General Byor Ajang from the SPLA told the daily Al-Sahafa that the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) did not order any new weapons.
“The SPLA did not have Russian weapons shipments that were on its way here through Kenya” Ajang said.
“This is not true and maybe it was just a guess or an assumption. We did not sign a contract to buy Russian tanks” he added.
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.
The Russian and US government have sent their navy ships to pursue the ships seen as a potential danger of falling into the wrong hands.
The hijackers have reportedly requested a $35 million ransom but there was no confirmation of that.
(ST)
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
SPLM denies links to weapons ship hijacked off Somalia
My thanks to the Kenya government for taking the responsibility into their own account,but even why should the people keep their eyes on Goss management,we’re independance and we can do whatever we want because we’re aware about what will happen in 2011 or even soon when mr criminal has come to an arrest by ICC,beside that we need to be like every country,having our own significant equipment to save with our people,imagine the LRA are killing the people of Goss in Southern Sudan and still we’re waiting for what the arabs are revealing aganist us,so why should we stay like womans without any tool for self depend,it is stupid for those who are spying SPLA/M in whatever they are trying to do.But in reality we should appreciate the role that Kenya has played to the people of Southern Sudan in general,and this will never let the people of Southern Sudan to forget the beautiful country of Kenya in history,because among the three East African countries,Kenya has been acting as a mother of Southern Sudan since the CPA process until now,beside the keeping of the refugees from Southern Sudan still is there is more in particluar. Keep up Goss show some skills to the World.