Sudan defence minister directs southern militia to go to the north

Dec 4, 2006 (MALAKAL) — The Defence Minister in the Government of National Unity has directed that all southern militias must join the SPLA or go to the north and join the Sudan Armed Forces.

In a statement to journalists on Monday afternoon in Malakal, General Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein said he has asked the militias to take this directive “seriously.”

The Defence Minister flew into Malakal on Monday afternoon to spend a few hours with authorities there before flying back to Khartoum the same day.

Meanwhile, Sudan Radio Service reported from Malakal that the SPLA has started taking back guns from civilians who had looted them when the SPLA overran the SAF military headquarters in Malakal.

The situation in Malakal is reported to be stable. The local population has been gradually resuming normal activities. Most businesses have re-opened and more people have been moving around in the town.

Barges have been arriving at the port. Most of the people who fled the time during the conflict have returned to Malakal and it is expected that the remainder of the IDPs will return in the coming days.

No looting has been reported since the joint patrolling was launched.

(SRS/ST)