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Sudan Tribune

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SPLA denies forces have entered Abyei

December 13, 2010 (ABYEI) – Deng Arop Kuol, chief administrator of the oil-producing region of Abyei on Monday denied that any armed forces belonging to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army has entered Abyei town and its surroundings.

SPLA soldiers gather outside a U.N. base in Abyei May 16, 2008. (Reuters)
SPLA soldiers gather outside a U.N. base in Abyei May 16, 2008. (Reuters)

On Sunday Colonel Al-Swarmi Khalid Saad, the spokesman of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) controlled by the northern government accused the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) of entering Abyei area with 10 military tanks and 15 Toyota land cruiser vehicles.

Ahkbar Al-Youm newspaper quoted the SAF spokesman, as saying that such developments could lead to conflict.

However, the Abyei administrator in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Monday dismissed presence of any armed forces in the town saying he is not aware of the development.

“I am not aware of this development, there are armed forces a part from Joint Integrated Units in the town. No armed forces have entered the town and even her surroundings,” said Kuol.

Under a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of conflict between north and south Joint Integrated Units of both SAF and SPLA were established. The former rebels the SPLA become one of Sudan’s official armies along with the Khartoum controlled SAF.

“From whom did you hear this information and when did the source of this allegation say was the time the SPLA entered the town. I repeat there are no SPLA forces here,” Kuol said, describing security situation in and around Abyei is relatively calm.

“The security situation as you are an eyewitness [of] is calm. The road is opened. People coming and going to the north, there is no problem at the moment,” he explained.

Colonel Philip Aguer Panyang, the spokesman of the SPLA, in an interview with Sudan Tribune from Juba also denied entrance of the SPLA to Abyei and described accusation made by the SAF as baseless.

“There are no SPLA forces I am aware to have entered Abyei town. This information is not correct. It is a white lie and unfounded allegation,” said Colonel Aguer.

Colonel Deng Athuai, a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in a joint Area military committee in Abyei also denied entrance of the SPLA forces to the town.

“We have been going around patrolling the town together with members of Sudan Armed Forces in area joint military committee but did not see this. It has not also been reported in our daily meetings. In short, there are no SPLA forces in Abyei. The forces in Abyei now are Joint Integrated Units,” explained the senior military officer.

Tensions are rising between the signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as the south prepares to hold an independence referendum on January 9. Most observes say that a vote for separation from the north is the most likely outcome.

Abyei, is due to hold a simultaneous referendum to determine whether the contested region will join what is likely to be a newly independent south. But with talks to establish the commision to run the vote and no agreement on who is eligible the United States said on Monday that it would not be possible to hold the vote on time on January 9.

Also on Monday the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) confirmed recent SPLA allegations, denied by the SAF, that the northern air force had bombed southern territory.

(ST)

9 Comments

  • Omoni Atari
    Omoni Atari

    SPLA denies forces have entered Abyei
    so whats up with that if SPLA entered Abyei?
    Abyei is belong to SPLA/M not sudan Armed gangs.
    Deng Arop, dont deny the truth if SPLA stepped into Abyei,and is not a crime,because that is their territory.

    Reply
  • william
    william

    SPLA denies forces have entered Abyei
    What is so funny about SPLA entery to their own home???? Mind SAF that Most liberation fighters are from Abyei fore instance CDR pieng Dengmajok, CDR Deng Alor Kuol, Edward Lino to mention but a few. Where do you expect them to be? SPLA must be there by hook and crook.

    Reply
  • Akech
    Akech

    SPLA denies forces have entered Abyei
    bravo SPLA we are proud of you.if 15 have entered to abyei,than no drama again with our bro from northern part.let them start were the want to start but spla which not leave abyei whether by force or by talk,we are very tries of northerness no more jok this time.SPLM/spla oyee long live splm/spla

    Reply
  • Peter Nhiany
    Peter Nhiany

    SPLA denies forces have entered Abyei
    My Dear Southern brothers and sisters,

    whether it is a false or true allegation, Khartoum would never be trusted on any acount.

    This is because Khartoum is well known for fabrication of false allegations. I know SPLA is not stupid to enter into Abyei in such a manner as it has been confirmed by Arop Deng, the Chief administrator of Abyei town.

    If that happened to be true, therefore, there should be no question whatsoever, because Khartoum has violated tons of protocols that are guiding principals of CPA.

    What has been done about that? Of course nothing. Khartoum should shut up and mind her own business, and leave SPLA alone. I do not know what Khartoum is hoping to gain out of reigniting the war between the South and the North?

    If Khartoum did not defeat Juba during the past 22 years of war, therefore it should forget of assuming any defeat over SPLA at this erra.

    It is too late to win any war over the mighty SPLA/SPLM. It is time for South Sudan to defeat Khartoum diplomatical other than weighing a full scale war again.

    It is not a right thing to do. People of South Sudan have determine their destiny; a destiny that will be war free. May bless South Sudanese and may peace prevail in South Sudan. And thank you.

    Peter Nhiany.

    Reply
  • Victory
    Victory

    SPLA denies forces have entered Abyei
    So whats wrong with it?its their own Land do you have any problem with it?

    Reply
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