UN Pronk expresses concern over attack against SSDF convoy

Mar 15, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to the Sudan, Jan Pronk, has expressed concern over the recent attack to which was subjected a convoy of Southern Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) loyal to Paulino Matep.

In a press conference held in Khartoum on 12 March, Paulino Matip accused the Sudanese army of attacking a convoy of SSDF militia in Abyei area. He said the group who carried out the attack received arms and munitions from an intelligence unity of the Sudanese army.

Speaking at the weekly briefing of the UN Mission in Sudan, on Wednesday, Pronk said he was concerned because there would be more convoys going to the South to join the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and that they might come under similar attacks.

He said some troops have willingly decided along with their leader Matep to join the Movement and that therefore they should be obstructed. Pronk has however declined to name any party as being responsible for the attack.

Pronk has meanwhile said a meeting was held two days ago in Khartoum between the governor of Khartoum and the ambassadors of the donors countries as well as the United Nations on the situation of displaced persons around Khartoum saying the authorities in Khartoum have made a commitment not to forcefully remove them and that also they made a pledge not to repeat what had happened in Souba less than a year ago.

(ST)