Juba: Two arrested in possession of 2,800 rounds of ammunition

By Julius N. Uma

January 11, 2011 (JUBA) – A Ugandan national and a corporal belonging to the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) are being investigated after the duo were found in possession of four boxes of AK-47 ammunitions, the southern army said on Tuesday.

Phillip Aguer Panyang, the spokesperson for Sudan’s Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) told Sudan Tribune that the incident, occurred when a patrol intercepted two motor bikes carrying four people.

The patrol was a combined force of both the SPLA and SAF, which were established as part of a 2005 peace deal, known Joint Integrated Units (JIU). An independent SPLA patrol was also present.

The incident occurred on Sunday night, around Suuk Sita (Market Six), located just behind the JIU barracks towards Kator, south of the regional state capital, Juba.

“When these people were stopped, they defied orders from our forces and started running. Our patrol team followed these people and managed to arrest two of them,” Panyang said.

He added, “When these people were searched by our patrol forces, they were found to be in possession of four small bags, each contacting 700 rounds of ammunition. Each box contains 700 rounds of ammunition”.

The SPLA spokesperson identified those arrested as Jubara Al-Mhadi, a corporal allegedly belonging to Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) currently serving in one of the JIU’s in Juba, and James John Magodoba, a Ugandan.

Panyany said that the pair’s motives remain unclear but preliminary investigations are being undertaken by both the SPLA intelligence unit and the Police.

“As you are aware, it’s the duty of the Police maintain law and order, including matters to do with security of the people,” Panyany said, adding that the ongoing investigations will be completed by Wednesday.

Al-Sawarmi Khaled, the northern army’s spokesman on Monday denied any link to the ammunition incident.

When contacted on Tuesday, Habib Migadde, the head of Chancery at the Juba-based Ugandan consulate told Sudan Tribune that the matter had not been brought to their attention.

“We have not yet received any information to that effect. But if such an incident happened and involved a Ugandan, then it’s very unfortunate,” Migadde said over the phone.

The incident occurred on the first day of a week-long self-determination referendum to decide whether the south shall remain part of Sudan or separate and form a new country.

Voting has been peaceful in most parts of the south but the contested border region of Abyei has seen clashes between local police and members of the Misseriya tribe. On Monday ten southerners were killed allegedly by a Misseriya militia when crossing the north-south border.

Analysts say that a return to conflict between north and south is most likely to be triggered by a confrontation along the north-south border or Abyei – oil-producing areas – where the border has not been demarcated.

Abyei was also due to hold a referendum simultaneously to decide whether the region remains in the north or joins the south. However, the referendum has not begun as the south has refused to accommodate Khartoum’s demand that the Misseriya, who enter the area for a few months each year to graze their cattle, be given full voting rights.

Voting in the southern referendum began on January 9 and officially ends on January 15, with results expected be announced in mid-February.

Nearly 4 million southerners registered to vote in the referendum, which is a key part of Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

(ST)