Sudanese army says committed to Comprehensive Peace Agreement

April 17, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Official Spokesman of the Armed Forces, Brig. Osman Mohamed Al-Aghbash, affirmed fulfilment of the Armed Forces of all its commitments towards implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with regard to the Security Arrangements.

Speaking at the regular Press Forum of the official SUNA Sunday night, Brig. Al-Aghbash said the Armed Forces decreased the number of its troops in the South, explaining that there were some 46403 soldiers in the South upon the signing of the CPA and that 16699 soldiers out of them were withdrawn, saying that 16704 others will be withdrawn by the 9th of July 2007 to leave about 13000 soldiers representing the government’s share in the joint forces.

Brig. Al-Aghbash added that the Armed Forces have nothing to do with the problems facing implementation of the CPA, pointing out that the CPA stipulated the withdrawal of the troops of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement from eastern Sudan and Hamshkoreib area, a matter which has not yet happened.

He has categorically denied support to the Uganda’s rebel Lord Resistance Army (LRA), saying these claims are refuted by the geographical reality and all its operations occur at areas where the Armed Forces are not present and that the LRA has moved its operations to Western Equatoria and the border strip with Congo.

The LRA is enemy which has been pursued by the Armed Forces in order to drive it out of the area but its nature prolongs its presence in the south, said Brig. Al-Aghbash.

(ST)