DR Congo: Sudanese rebels “occupy” northeastern areas, demand money

By Congolese radio

BUNIA, Dec. 03, 2003 — The Congolese localities situated in the extreme northeast of the country are under Sudanese rebel forces’s occupation. They are the localities of Aba, Purparta and Jamba [last two names phonetic] and the surrounding areas which are in the Faradje Territory.

The rebels are those of John Garang, the head of the Southern Sudanese rebel group [Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army]. They are controlling that part of Province Orientale.

The administrator of Wamba [phonetic] Territory informed the special representative of the UN secretary-general to the DRCongo, [word indistinct] about it, on Thursday 27 November 2003 in Isiro.

The commissioner of [words indistinct] told Radio Okapi that the armed elements had also been reported in the Garamba Park where they are threatening protected [animal] species.

According to the same source, John Garang’s men occupy that part of the Democratic Republic of Congo following arrangements with former authorities of the district of Otoley [phonetic]. The same source said John Garang’s rebels are demanding 15,500 US dollars before returning to their base in southern Sudan.

BBC Monitoring Africa