SPLA clashes with South Darfur tribal elements in border area
April 24, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Southern Sudan army and armed cattle herders from Rizeigat tribe clashed today in the border area between Western Bahr el-Ghazal and South Darfur, amid reports of human causalities.
Every Arab tribes from South Darfur (Rizeigat) and Southern Kordofan (Messerriya) seek water and grazing in neighboring states of greater Bahr el-Ghazal where they often clash with the cattle raiders or the southern Sudan army.
The SPLA tries to prevent the herders form entering the southern territory with their guns but the Rizeigat and Messeriya refuse pretxting that they are attacked by armed cattle rustlers.
“These confrontations, which took place today, came as a result of provocations by the SPLA, which infuriated members of the Rizeigat tribe at the area and pushed them to confront elements of the SPLA”, said Mohamed Iyssa Elaio, Chairman of Rizeigat tribe’s Shura (consultation) council, in a statement to Xinhua, Saturday.
The tribal leader further said the clashes occurred within the northern part of the border at Bulbula area, some 200 km south of Matariq town in the South Darfur State. He further stressed they had informed the concerned authorities about the presence of the SPLA in this area but Khartoum didn’t react to force them to redeploy into southern Sudan.
In accordance of the 2005 peace deal, the northern Sudan army had to be withdrawn to 1956 border north and the SPLA ought to redeploy from the north to the south behind the borders.
However the official spokesperson of the southern Sudan army accused the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of attacking the SPLA forces in Raja district in the southern state of Western Bahr al-Ghazal.
“A company of 120 SPLA soldiers was attacked on Friday night by armed men wearing uniforms of the northern (central government) army that was heavily equipped,” said Major General Kuol Deim Kuol.
The Sudanese army denied the accusation.
“We were not involved in these clashes. If one of the partners in the comprehensive peace agreement has such allegations to make about the other, the Joint Defense Board should speak about it,” said Alsoarmi Khaled, SAF spokesperson.
The SPLA official said there were causalities but he did not elaborate. However the tribal leader stated that some 17 people were killed and 11 others were wounded.
Dinka Boy
SPLA clashes with South Darfur tribal elements in border area
What is wrong with Rizeigat and Messerriya?
These nomad should not be allowed to the South Sudan States because they frequently caused the problem. They must stay there in the North or come without even asingle gun with them to the South other if they keep causing problem they need to be prevented to enter the South.
Grader
Tribal leader interpreting an article in CPA!?, I doubt. This is SAF.
“The tribal leader further said the clashes occurred within the northern part of the border at Bulbula area, some 200 km south of Matariq town in the South Darfur State. He further stressed they had informed the concerned authorities about the presence of the SPLA in this area but Khartoum didn’t react to force them to redeploy into southern Sudan.
In accordance of the 2005 peace deal, the northern Sudan army had to be withdrawn to 1956 border north and the SPLA ought to redeploy from the north to the south behind the borders”
NB: If the leader can talk about the CPA then it is the same doc that requires them to come to South Sudan with no or less weapons