Four Sudanese civilians killed in clash with pro-government militia

KHARTOUM, Aug 3 (AFP) — Pro-government militiamen from southern Sudan killed four people and wounded three when they opened fire on a group of civilians following a quarrel south of the capital, police said Tuesday.

The shooting happened Monday in the town of Soba, some 10 kilometres (six miles) south of Khartoum, Major General Kamal Gaafer, director of the capital’s criminal investigation department, said in a statement.

He did not specify which militia group was responsible.

Several southern factions that broke away from the mainstream rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, have been based in Khartoum since 1997 when they signed an agreement with the Sudanese government.

Most are still armed and have fought against SPLA forces alongside government troops.