Sons of south Sudan vice president questioned over weapons

Sept 15, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Police raided the Nairobi home of two sons of southern Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar early Friday after a man there allegedly threatened to shoot a passer-by, a relative and witnesses said.

Police briefly detained Kuem Machar and Joseph Chap Machar for questioning over guns found during the raid, reportedly five assault rifles and a pistol, said Zacky Machar, the vice president’s third son. Around 20 police officers raided the home in a wealthy Nairobi neighborhood, he said.

“We don’t know why they took away the firearms when they raided our house and yet we have the licenses for them,” said Zacky Machar. “We pleaded with them to wait for someone to bring for them the license but they could not hear any of us.”

Police at the scene said a man at the house had threatened to shoot a passer-by the night before. Another police officer, speaking later on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the two men were released without charge.

Riek Machar is currently in Juba, south Sudan where he is acting as chief negotiator peace talks between the Ugandan government and Uganda’s rebel Lord’s Resistance Army.

(AP/ST)