Former Sudan’s FM says probe will reveal the assailants

April 9, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan former foreign minister who escaped an assassination attempt last month played down statements saying he was just attacked by bandits. He insisted that the ongoing probe will reveal the identity of the authors.

The deputy Secretary General of the SPLM Ann Itto denied reports that SPLM Secretay Gnereal Pagan Amum was involved “in the conspiracy to assassinate Comrade Lam Akol.” She further said that the attack was carried out by cattle rustlers.

Lam Akol told Al-ray Alaam daily newspaper “those who have said that the accident was committed by bandits should not anticipate the events. Because the investigations will reveal who is involved.”

He further said that “innocent people, who have been killed, fell victims of treachery and betrayal.”

Lam Akol survived an assassination attempt, on March 23, occurred along Panika road, 15 miles from Malakal capital of Upper Nile state, but a driver, bodyguard and accountant were killed in the attack.

Akol who just returned back to Khartoum yesterday, stressed that he remained in Malakal for the previous period in order to identify the problems of the region, and to brief the population about the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the importance of the census.

Akol was replaced as foreign minister by senior SPLM official, Deng Alor, in a cabinet reshuffle last October.

The SPLM had strongly pushed for his removal over Akol’s perceived closeness to President Omar al-Beshir’s National Congress Party, its coalition partners and former enemy during the civil war.

(ST)