South Sudan army warns of LRA imminent attacks

By Manyang Mayom

July 19, 2010 (RUMBEK) — The spokesman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has warned of an imminent attack in Western Bahr El-Ghazal by the Ugandan rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Major General Kuol Deim Kuol told Sudan Tribune that SPLA military intelligence has received information that the notorious rebels have been regrouping their forces in Central Africa Republic (CAR) with the aim of attacking Southern Sudan territory and in particular target the state of Western Bahr El-Ghazal.

“We have received intelligence information that LRA is regrouping in Central Africa Republic. I am calling upon our citizens in Western Bahr El-Ghazal state to be on alert. Also our SPLA forces in Western Bahr El-Ghazal state are put on maximum alert to repulse any aggression from LRA rebels,” he said, adding that the LRA’s intention is to disturb security situation in Southern Sudan, especially in the two states of Western Bahr El-Ghazal and Western Equatoria.

Kuol called on the youth in Raja County of Western Bahr El Ghazal and youth in Western Equatoria to stay awake so that they could not be taken by surprise in light of the LRA’s expected assaults.

He also accused the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of arming the LRA rebels.

“The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are arming LRA rebels and they are making use of LRA to destroy Southern Sudan security situation. This is all rubbish tactic; SAF will not achieve any ground in Southern Sudan; we are on alert to respond to any aggression,” he assured.

Kuol further explained that Khartoum has been using people like General George Athor, General Gabriel Tanginye, Abdel Bagi Ayii, Col. Gatluak Gai, and SPLM-DC militias to destabilize Southern Sudan.

South Sudan and Uganda troops have been hunting the LRA in the remote porous border region after peace talks in 2008 failed to cajole rebel leader Joseph Kony from his jungle hideaway.

Sporadic LRA attacks in Western Equatoria, a wild but fertile region bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have displaced thousands of people and reduced agricultural production. South Sudan currently suffers from severe food shortages.

Kony’s LRA, renowned for their abduction and brutal use of child soldiers, sought safe haven in lawless south Sudan during a 22-year north-south civil war. A 2005 Sudanese peace deal boxed them in and forced them to the negotiating table.

(ST)