Sudanese military aircraft flew over Juba: SPLA

By Julius N. Uma

May 22, 2012 (JUBA) — The public in Juba were in a state of panic on Monday after military officials claimed that a Sudan-owned military aircraft flew for several hours over Juba, South Sudan’s capital.

“On Monday, an Antonov was seen flying over Juba. When our airport terminal officials tried to make contact with people in the aircraft, they never responded,” said Phillip Aguer, the spokesperson for the South Sudan army (SPLA).

He accused the Sudanese government of violating South Sudan’s territory in defiance of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) demanding immediate cessation of military hostilities between the two nations.

The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Aguer told a press briefing on Tuesday, carried out a series of separate attacks on South Sudan territories, and warned that further attacks could force the SPLA to retaliate.

“On the 15th of this month, a Sudan Armed Forces supported militia forces attacked [the] SPLA forces [in] North Wedakona, but were repulsed back [to] the White Nile in North Sudan,” the army spokesman said.

In a separate incident, Aguer claimed another convoy of militia forces reportedly left kilo 23, an area located near Panthou (Heglig), “with intentions to commit sabotage attack on Abiemnom and Mayom in Unity State.”

Meanwhile, the official spokesperson of the South Sudan government on Tuesday strongly condemned the bombardment of SPLA positions in Werguet, located about 30km inside South Sudan’s territory in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. The attacks reportedly occurred on May 21 and 22.

“The government of South Sudan strongly condemns such wanton attacks on its territory. This acts of aggression greatly undermines South Sudan’s territorial integrity,” said Barnaba Benjamin Marial.

He called upon the African Union, the UNSC and the international community to consider Khartoum’s act of aggression as a “serious” issue that requires immediate attention.

The SPLA, Marial added, have the right to defend their territory and will have to retaliate against such attacks, should it escalate.

The 22 May attack also coincided with the visit of Thabo Mbeki, the chair of the AU Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP), who held talks with South Sudan leader Salva Kiir.

Mbeki, who addressed the press moments later, said he was optimistic both nations will resume negotiations aimed at achieving peace and stability. It remains, however, unclear when the talks will actually commence.

(ST).