Governor denies killing of Darfur rebel commander in Bahr –Al-Ghazal

December 12, 2008 (JUBA) — The governor of Western Bahr Al-Ghazal dismissed accusations by a Darfur rebel faction about the killing of a rebel commander in the southern Sudan state.

Governor, Mark Nyipuoch, said in a reported broadcasted from Juba by the UN sponsored Miraya Radio on Friday that his state is empty from Darfur rebel groups.

Last Saturday, the spokesperson of the Sudan liberation Movement (SLM) led by Ahmed Abdel announced in a press statement the suspension of Abdel Shafi after insinuating he was involved in the killing of the chief commander of the group, Sediq Abdel Karim.

But Abdel Shafi denied any connection in such story and emphasized he were in Darfur since the beginning of this year. He further said that these allegations were made published after his rejection to the Qatari initiative by “a group of people willing to hold talks and reconcile with Khartoum.”

According to Isam Al-Haj, the spokesperson of the rebel faction, the chief commander Sediq Abdel Karim was in Wau to meet commanders who had joined Abdel Shafi. Once in Wau the chief commander ordered the commanders to move for Darfur on September 30.
But on October 2, a unity of the SPLA followed the group and clashed with the rebels. Abdel Karim had been arrested, Al-Haj accused.

The SPLM had pledged to support efforts to end Darfur crisis and convince rebels to joint the talks. Last year the former rebel group turned ruling party of southern Sudan gathered in Juba more than ten groups and formed two rebel movements.

However, the two rebel groups are splintered now and their fragmentation in different factions. Also this approach angered the mainstream of rebel groups. The move had been seen as an attempt to create rival groups.

(ST)