Kenya seizes weapons to South Sudan army – report
February 14, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Kenya has seized weapons to the southern Sudan army routed through the port of Mombasa saying that it constitutes a clear violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), a press report said.
According to the Khartoum based Al-Ray Al-Aam, Nairobi had said that SPLA military capabilities build-up is contrary to the signed peace agreement.
The 2005s peace deal between the former rebel movement and the Khartoum government ended one Africa’s longest civil wars, bringing many fighters out of the bush.
In accordance with the CPA, The Sudan Armed Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army constitute the Sudan’s National Armed Forces during the interim period.
The seized containers are the first batch of weapons contracted by the SPLA from former Soviet Union states, rocket launchers, artillery and aircraft had not yet arrived, the Kenyan sources disclosed.
The independent daily pointed out that there were a number of containers of spare parts for military vehicles and weapons in Mombasa port.
The United States have started a military training for the SPLA troops in order to transform the former rebel army to a professional army.
Washington denied that contracts with a specialized firm, DynCorp, included any arms deal with southern Sudan’s government, which donors say has funnelled the biggest chunk of its budget — some 40 percent — into defence.
(ST)