Sudanese army say JEM attacked convoy but rebels deny

October 10, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan accused rebels of killing three of its troops today in western Darfur during an attack against a government convoy, but the rebels reject the accusation saying they repelled the assailant force.

Rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement clashed with a local government convoy escorted with army troops 60 kilometres from the capital of West Darfur state, El Geneina, as it was travelling to Kulbus, the Sudanese army said.

However, Ali Waafi, JEM military spokesperson, said they were attacked by a joint force from the Sudanese army, Janjaweed militias, and the Chadian opposition in Alhilailat, near Kulbus not far from the Chadian border.

“Our forces acted in legitimate self –defense,” Waafi said. He further said that Khartoum carries out since two months a military campaign against the rebels in the region.

“We have the right to defend our self, the civilians and the territory that we control” he added. The rebel official said that the Sudanese government is not serious about peace process. Because “they speak about peace on the ground while they are waging war” he stressed.

But the spokesperson of the Sudanese army, Osman Mohamed Al-Aghbash, said that the convoy included the commissioner of the Kulbus region and the state minister of social welfare, Sultan Hashim but the two officials reached Kulbus town save, he added.

Al-Aghbash said the attack was directed against the state minister Hisham by a local JEM commander called Mohamed Adam Galabi. He also said that some of the rebels were injured in an exchange of fire with the convoy but the rebels were able to escape.

He further dismissed media reports that 15 people were killed in the ambush.

(ST)