Ugandan rebels kill 50 people in South Sudan
By James Gatdet Dak
January 6, 2009 (JUBA) — The Ugandan rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have killed more than 50 people in Maridi County of Western Equatoria state of South Sudan in the last two weeks.
According to the Chairperson of the Specialized Committee on Culture and Information in South Sudan parliament, Hon. Bashir Bandi, the LRA rebels have targeted Maridi County after crossing into Southern Sudan from DR Congo.
The joint military operation against the Ugandan rebels was launched last month by regional forces that included Uganda and DR Congo.
Bashir who represents the Maridi County in the parliament urged the Government of Southern Sudan to arrange necessary security measures to stop the LRA attacks on the civil population.
The rebels are also reported by the state authorities to have killed dozens of people in separate attacks on other counties of the state and that civilians are also fleeing from Yambio, the state capital, in fear of their attacks.
Last month the Government of Southern Sudan announced that it would close its borders with DR Congo to prevent the LRA from penetrating into its territory during the joint military operations.
The Juba-peace process mediated by the Government of Southern Sudan for the last two years brought relative peace in the region, but the recent resumption of military operations have resulted to loss of more lives and brought fresh fears for attacks by the notorious rebels.
(ST)
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Ugandan rebels kill 50 people in South Sudan
Might be LRA, but if we can have time to investigate, I personally beleive that those killers will be among SPLA/M members. Because the incidence that had happened in Juba to the family of Equatorians memeber proves that those sons who were reported to be in training are now in action within the streets of Greater Equatoria. We the people of Greater Equatoria at this tornado period of time, we pray that let the election come quickly follow by Capital out of Greater Equatoria and this will give us a clear route to prove why we are always in sorrow. Enough is enough i will never mention anyone at this stage because am not in my mood. God is Great !!!!!!!
nyadeng Garang
Ugandan rebels kill 50 people in South Sudan
Regional governments of D.R.C. southern Sudan, and the government of Uganda need to undertand that no one win guerilla warefare. The governments can not defeat the LRA nor do the LRA defeat the regional governments. The attacks will just continue and it will never end.
There has to be a peaceful and patiant approach to the Uganda conflict by making sure that the rebels are treated equal similar to Uganda government. The use of words like killers, terrorists, and child rapists against the LRA fighters is not a good approach to peace.
They must be treated as an independent rebellion who have a point to bring across. Their voice must be respected in the peace process but I can see the Uganda government exploiting the process through their counter-partner which is the United States of America. The US fooled the regional governments that if they waged a joint operation against the LRA that they were going to bring the problem to end. This was a myth judgement.
The people of southern Sudan who supported the idea are now paying the price. You fools should have listen to Dr. Riek Mhachar who refused the idea from the start.
Angelo M
Ugandan rebels kill 50 people in South Sudan
I honestly agree with Nyadeng Garang that “Nobody win against a guerilla warfare- Consider 21 yrs of civil war between Khartoum and SPLA. Compare history and learn!
Gatwech
Ugandan rebels kill 50 people in South Sudan
Hello Southerners,
Driven by jealousy and tribal sentiments, some crook GOSS politicians thought it was politics as usual to shoot down Dr. Riek Machar’s peace initiatives so that he does not get credit as Chief Mediator in the Uganda peace process. Now the Museveni’s manipulated military operations on the LRA inside Congo has backfired on South Sudan. You could feel fears of danger every where in Greater Equatoria. People have sensed the mistake committed in abandoning the peace process and declaring a war we have not analysed and prepared for.