South Sudan accuses national army of abducting civilians

November 13, 2010 (JUBA) – The antonymous region of southern Sudan has accused the national army of abducting civilians attempting to return to the region ahead of January’s independence referendum.

The Minister of Information and official spokesman of the southern government, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said men in uniform who claimed to be members of the northern Messirya tribe have held southerners travelling from the north into south Sudan.

Marial said that the civilians were taken hostage while they were travelling by truck towards Unity state in south Sudan.

According to the minister about 20 vehicles carrying mostly women and children was held hostage near Heglig oilfields by the armed men.

The armed group claimed that their members had been killed and their cattle stolen from Unity state, Marial said.

Marial said that the hostage takers are suspected to be members of the Sudan Armed Forces masquerading as members of the Misseriya tribe who are currently contesting the right to vote on the future of the Abyei region on the north-south border.

The Khartoum government wants the Misseriya to be given full voting rights in the poll to decide whether the oil-producing region will remain in the north or join what could be a newly independent south Sudan.

Deadlock over the issue has threatened the Abyei referendum and raised fears the dispute may trigger conflict between the north and south.

(ST)