Lam’s party accuses SPLM of murdering one of its local leaders

July 5, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The newly formed SPLM Democratic-Change party accused southern Sudan ruling party of killing one of its local leaders in Upper Nile, on Friday.

The SPLM-DC of Dr Lam Akol says its active members are targeted by the Sudan People’s liberation which seeks to intimidate local population amid the ongoing political mobilization for net April election.

Akich Dak Padiet, one of the SPLM-DC mobilization leaders in Upper Nile state, Fashoda county was killed “by security elements acting in SPLM name on Friday morning, 3rd July 2009” accused the breakaway party.

The opposition party further said the commissioner of Many County ordered the arrest of their mobilization members. The SPLM-Dc alleges that Joseph Othow and Dak Ali Oboy are still detained and their relatives have been denied access to them.

However, the SPLM dismissed the SPLM-DC accusations of. Speaking to Radio Miraya FM, Sukar Kock, SPLM secretary in Upper Nile said the killing of Padiet is criminal case. He added the court should try the culprits and punish them.

Kock urged the SPLM-DC to not confound between political and criminal issues.

Lam’s party further asked the Sudan electoral board to dispatch observers to the different southern Sudan states to create conducive atmosphere there and to allow them to operate freely.

(ST)