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.

South Sudan share borders with Uganda to the south and Kenya to the south east while Ethiopia to East of the region. It also share borders with Democratic republic of Congo to the south West and Central Africa Republic to West of the region.

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)