Two killed, in Sudan’s Waraguar as Misseriya clashes with police

By Manyang Mayom

November 26, 2009 (JUBA) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) spokesman Major General Kuol Diem Kuol, confirmed that two members of the Misseriya tribe were killed and one policeman was injured on Thursday clashes between Misseriya herders and police forces in Northwest of Biemnhom Payam at Waraguar of Unity state.

Kuol said that on Thursday at 10 am, Misseriya tribesmen clashed with local police in Biemnhom Payam at a place called Waraguar, one of the villages of Biemnhom Payam. In few days Misseriya cattle keepers who graze usually during this dry season in unity state try to move into unity state territory while armed. Meanwhile, local community in this state were disarmed and Misseriya were insisting on grazing there using their guns and local police has objected to that move and advised Misseriya to leave their guns on the other side of the River Kiir but Misseriya ignored the instructions.

Waraguar is 8 miles to the northwest of Abiemnhom; it is part of Unity state of Alor Dinka.

Kuol noted that “The local Payam administration had been telling Misseriya that they will not cross River with guns but they refused the directive. This morning Misseriya pastoralists decided to cross River Kiir by force and then clashed with police”. He also added that it was the Misseriya who started firing at the police.

“Following the discussion, Misseriya crossed River Kiir leading to clashes between them and the border police in that area. Immediately, two members of Misseriya were killed and one policeman was wounded as well our SPLA army intervenes to control the situation over there” he said.

“There is no one preventing Misseriya from grazing in any part in Southern Sudan. They must be prevented when entering into the territory with guns because it is against the law in Southern Sudan. They were told that you are our brothers, you are free to graze in Unity state, but local people in the state are disarmed; they were told not to cross river with guns. This is against directive of local administration”

Kuol noted that the Misseriya, even during the wartime, used to co-operate, that they must respect the local administration directive. He concluded that they are free to move anywhere in Southern Sudan. This is the first time the Misseriya clash with police in Unity state since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.

However, Al-Khartoum newspaper reported on Thursday that “SPLA elements brandished weapons at registration centre in Kurmuk. SPLA soldiers have brandished their weapons, threatening NCP leaders at a registration centre at the Kurmuk Locality area of “Dejlak” [Blue Nile State], Al-Khartoum reports.

One Source said the incident occurred just a day after the NEC chairman’s visit to the area”. Kuol deny that reports saying that it someone in Khartoum who decides mud think in air-condition in Khartoum and report against SPLA.

“We did not arrest anybody; SPLA has nothing to do with voter registration centers. This is a big lie.”

(ST)