S. Sudan traders claim thieves wore army uniforms

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

January 12, 2012 (MAYIANDIT) – Two traders from Sudan’s western region of Darfur, who were attacked last week in South Sudan’s Unity State, have claimed that the assailants were dressed in military uniforms.

The two traders were attacked by unknown gunmen on Friday, 6 January, in Rubkuay payam [district], Mayiandit county, in Unity state. The attack took place at 2 am local time.

Sudan Tribune visited Rubkuay on Thursday and found that one of the assaulted traders had been shot in both legs and rushed to Leer Hospital then transferred to the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital at Langkien.

Moses Mohamed Jerenabi told Sudan Tribune he lost 5,000 SSP (US$1,900) in the attack perpetrated by assailants “dressed in SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army] uniforms and claiming to be part of SPLA”.

Jerenabi described being held at gunpoint and bound during the robbery. He called out and was attended by Abdalarahman Yousif Omer, who was shot.

He called upon the Mayiandit community to avoid the label, “Arab” which associates him and others, who are “proud to be South Sudanese”, with North Sudan.

Jerenabi asked that the county authorities to collaborate with the traders to improve the security situation.

Bilal Koang Malual, executive director of Mayiandit county, said that security personnel will investigate the incident and more police will be deployed to the market where it took place.

He called upon the traders to continue normal trading.

Anonymous local residents corroborated the traders allegation that the thieves were dressed in SPLA uniforms. However, this was the first such incident noted by those interviewed.

Malual said the SPLA soldiers and their barracks have been searched for the missing money, but no evidence has been found.

Cases of indiscipline are rife within members of the SPLA which fought for two decades as a rebel group before South Sudan became an independent state in July last year.

(ST)