Sudan’s SPLM office in Nairobi attacked

Aug 8, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Five people who work at the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement office in Nairobi are nursing serious injuries which they sustained after unidentified assailants attacked them and doused them with corrosive acid.

The five victims are at Nairobi Hospital where they are still receiving treatment, the Kenyan NTV reported Tuesday.

The five victims were returning to the SPLA offices in Lavington after their lunch break, but when they arrived at the office’s main gate, unidentified people emerged from another car and flagged them down. They were doused with acid in a scuffle that ensued.

Kenyan police said the incident may have been sparked by an internal dispute in the SPLM. As the police continue with their investigations, unconfirmed reports say that the incident was over ownership of the offices.

“Preliminary investigations indicate the two groups have been feuding over the office,” said Herbat Khaemba, commander of Nairobi’s Kilimani police division where the SPLM office in the upscale Lavington area is located.

Four of those injured are Sudanese nationals while the fifth victim is a Kenyan.

Office administrator Jackline Chuol said the five injured administrative workers had been admitted to hospital and that the SPLM, which now runs the government of autonomous southern Sudan, was unaware of any possible motive.

The SPLM liaison office, based in the former home of late rebel leader John Garang, serves as a de facto embassy for the government and assists tens of thousands of southern Sudanese refugees living in Kenya.

(ST/agencies)