Sudanese belligerents investigate fighting circumstances in Upper Nil

NAIROBI, Feb 03, 2004 (IRIN) — The Sudanese warring parties on Tuesday said they were investigating circumstances that led to last week’s fighting between their forces in the oil-rich western Upper Nile region of southern Sudan.

At least 50 people were reportedly killed in renewed fighting between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and pro-government southern militias.

The fighting was yet another blow to the ongoing peace process, following last week’s unexpected suspension of talks in Kenya, at the insistence of the government delegation, whose senior members sought to attend the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, observers said.
Samson Kwaje, the SPLM/A spokesman, told IRIN on Tuesday that the rebel movement had reported the matter to the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the regional body facilitating the talks, for investigation. “This kind of thing is not conducive for talks,” Kwaje said. “In October 2003, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cessation of hostilities,” he noted.

There were conflicting reports on the nature of the fighting and the casualty figures of the clashes, which took place around the Upper Nile State capital, Malakal. Some figures suggested that up to 41 pro-government soldiers died in the skirmishes. Kwaje said he did not have details of the casualties on the SPLM/A side.

Media sources said fighting began when forces loyal to the southern leader and former transport minister, Lam Akol Ajawin, overran a government garrison in the town of Tonga, killing eight and wounding dozens. The SPLM/A said government forces initiated the attack on its positions. “Sudan government forces were shelling the SPLM/A. We have reported this to IGAD and they are investigating,” Kwaje said.

Kwaje, however, stressed that it was still unclear whether the soldiers were acting on orders from the Khartoum government. “It is difficult to tell. There is a lot of movement of militia in the area. Maybe there were some adventurous soldiers who wanted to destabilise the talks,” he added.

Muhammad Ahmad Dirdeiry, the Sudanese deputy Ambassador in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, confirmed the skirmishes, but denied any involvement by government forces. He blamed the fighting on militias allied to both the SPLM/A and the government, and said the government would investigate the matter.

“I can guarantee you that government armed forces were not involved,” Dirdeiry told IRIN. “What I know is that there were skirmishes by some militias on both sides, but not in alarming proportions. It is now under control,” he added.

Both sides had agreed at the Kenya talks to discourage their militias from carrying out activities potentially capable of derailing the talks, Dirdeiry said. “We are very keen to prevent such incidences from spoiling the atmosphere of the peace talks.”

The talks, to end the country’s 20-year civil war, had made progress on the critical issues of wealth sharing and security arrangements for a six-year transitional period before being adjourned last week. Progress had also been made on issues like the status of two disputed regions of Nuba Mountains, and southern Blue Nile.