SPLA minister says South Sudan security situation is normal
By Ngor Arol Garang
June 28, 2010 (ALEK) — The minister for SPLA and veteran affairs in the regional government of southern Sudan, Nhial Deng Nhial, has on Monday described security situation as normal, stressing the region continues to enjoy peaceful co-existence with its neighboring countries.
Central African Republic is also bordered by the three Southern States of Western Equatoria, North and Western Bahr el Ghazal whose territorial parts meets with the war torn region of Darfur to the south west and in the east of the region.
In an interview with Sudan Tribune, minister Deng, however, said that the ongoing political unrest and underground rebels’ activities in most parts of the region do not pose serious threats to the conduct of upcoming referendum scheduled to take place in 2011.
“Yes there are security concerns in some parts of the region but they are being taken care of by the security forces. SPLA has increased operations in Western Equatoria against elements operating in the name of LRA and are paying much attention to other areas where there are similar concerns,” said minister Nhial.
Many say recent military engagements between the SPLA forces and forces loyal to General Athor have claimed lives of innocent people and denied concentration of the local population on farms.
SPLA forces have in the last weeks clashed six times with forces loyal to renegade General George Athor Deng who rebelled against the regional government after announcement of the April elections results in favor of his Jonglei main rival, Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk.
The minister said situation at Jonglei-Upper Nile states borders remains delicate but the army has reinforced security by strengthening patrol along suspected borderlines as well as escorting civilians crossing into either areas in Jonglei or Upper Nile who ask for help from SPLA forces in the area.
The ongoing operation involving over two divisions with additional mobile forces intended to facilitate efforts to combat attempts to create instability in the state, have negatively impacted farming activities in the southern Sudan. Such activities hinder developmental plans as the region continues to see the inflow of smuggle in small arms and light weapons.
Also illegal arms continue to be imported into the region by groups officials describe as “enemies of peace” and southern stability colluding with unscrupulous elements to carryout criminal activities especially in areas along the borders.
The minister, however, maintained that such incidents had declined compared to previous years and that the army, in collaboration with other organs, was making a close follow up on security situation especially at the borderlines as the region heads towards conducting southern referendum in 2011to ensure peaceful polls.
He further said that efforts to address elections differences are being exerted as best alternatives to settling all political grievances before referendum takes place. He praised his government to have done a lot in the transformation of the SPLA into a conventional army during the last five years.
“The government of southern Sudan has done a lot in the last five years and it will continue to do so in strengthening the army through training, modern equipment and tools as well as improvement of soldiers’ remunerations,” the minister stressed, adding more efforts would be taken during the 2010/2011 fiscal year.
However, views and voices from opposition camps in southern Sudan urged the government to introduce laws, policies, and regulations governing regional forces with a view to building a strong non-partisan army.
There are also calls to improve soldiers’ working conditions.
(ST)
murlescrewed
SPLA minister says South Sudan security situation is normal
What is Mr. Nhial Deng talking about? The LRA continues to butcher the citizens in WES at will and nothing is being done about it. Isn’t that a symptom of insecurity? Besides, it is not in Mr. Nhial Deng’s docket to be talking about internal security of the South. That is for Gier Chuang.
Dinka Boy
SPLA minister says South Sudan security situation is normal
Maumau & Murlescrewed,
Both of you does not know the role of ministery of SPLA affairs. Minister Nhial Deng Nhial has to comment on the the roles played by SPLA in the region. They have secure the rebel areas and they are ready to root out the LRA in EQ.
It’s stonishing when both of you confuse the role of Minister of SPLA affairs with the internal affairs. Please, make research and you guys will understand that the ministry of internal affairs and in Nhial Deng Nhial ministry.
Mr Maumau, your weak heart will not help you because your naked mind is focusing on the side of Madukuru( Arab). Why not you heart Dinka during the liberation?. Ok! you are free to take now because we brought in food for you. It’s you to accept it or reject it. Thanks
Mike Mike
SPLA minister says South Sudan security situation is normal
Dinka Boy
You just don,t defend some thing which you don,t have any single clue about it. What do you want to show us really on this web? Is it you was trying to say that you are the most lover of the South sudan or what do you think?. You use to waste much of your time fighting with people at the web on things which are not clear for a grown up person like you to keep on making contradiction with people all the time. Nhial of course is a defend minister for the South whenever he want to say some thing about South Sudan no one can provent him not to comment any thing, but if there are some people whom have seen him he did the mistake then you cannot interfere in it to blame those who have never support his idea. In regard to the internal issue there is minister who can represent it and not him to talk about it. With such bad characteristics, if that is how you are staying now in your community then it mean you are not a good boy at all. As person you need to have good approach but with misapproach no one will tolerate you and you will be having no friend on nationwide.
Adam
SPLA minister says South Sudan security situation is normal
Dear Readers,
When I read the title of the news article (SPLA minister says South Sudan security situation is normal), I checked my calendar to make sure that I am in 2020. But I got shocked when my calendar confirmed the date of the news – 28 June 2010. The title is so misleading Mr. ALEK. It should rather reads (SPLA minister says South Sudan security situation is disturbing). The statements of minister Nhial all over the news article report (only some) difficulties and give no concrete advancement in any of the matters he mentioned. He even stated that (there are security concerns in some parts of the region but they are being taken care of by the security forces). However, one cannot be sure of what are these actions and measures, especially in the midth of current political standoff.
The insecurity is not only taking place in “some parts of the region”as the minister stated, in fact, insecurity is all over the motherland.
SPLM/A cannot just bury its head in the sand and ignore the danger of rebellion (groups), intertribal raids and clashes (happening when the minister was making his statement between Murle and LaNeur), cattle theft (every day), slaughtering innocent people even at the gates of the GoSS palace (juba bridge Murle cattle merchants victims), the raids by SPLA on citizens and raping both males and females, disarming of tribes while exempting the ruling tribe, LRA massacres, imprisonment and torture of independents and other political parties’ members, old combatants’ problems, late salaries of SPLA + the other problems listed by the minister. Imagine! With all these nightmares and “the situation is normal”.
The idea of (strengthening the army through training, modern equipment and tools as well as improvement of soldiers’ remunerations) without political solutions and unity of Southerners is like adding more fuel to the blazing fire. We need political and economic actions before wasting the money on ministers and arms. Can a well equipped and trained army, with well-paid soldiers be a guarantee to safeguarding the security and safety of people, if tyranny, arrogance, tribalism, injustice, political dictatorship etc are prevailing? Is inviting USA military and other selfish organizations to the South a solution?
The news of today is that more Southern blood is shed Mr. SPLM/A.
O Ye Southerners Unite!
Adam Milawaki, Kansas City