N. Bahr el Ghazal State says figures for returnees killed in ambush could be over 10
January 12, 2011 (JUBA) – The governor of the southern State of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Paul Malong Awan Anei, on Wednesday said the number of southern Sudanese killed in an ambush on their convoy of buses approaching the north-south border could be higher than the ten initially reported.
The southern government has accused elements of the Misseriya for being responsible – an allegation they have denied.
Addressing a press conference in Aweil town, capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal on Wednesday, Anei said up to 10 people traveling in a convoy of 34 vehicles were killed in the attack.
Analysts believe that clashes around Sudan’s contested north-south border could drag the country back to civil war. This week Sudan’s south is voting on whether it will separate from the north as part of a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of conflict.
However, in an interview with Sudan Tribune, Anei admitted he could not provide accurate information over the attack but he thought the number could be more than ten.
“We are not getting accurate information to give you correct information on this incident, but it is possible that a lot of people must have died, because where it happened is an area where similar incidents were reported in the past,” said governor Anei.
“So, I cannot confirm the exact figures but the information I have is that 10 people were killed and 18 were wound. These figures could be more because I am still getting reports that 12 vehicles with people have not, until now, been found, and nobody seems to know their whereabouts since Monday,” Anei told Sudan Tribune.
He said he was informed that there were 34 vehicles and 7 trailers carrying the personal belongings of the returnees but only 22 vehicles have been found.
“The information I heard was that there were 34 buses and 7 trailers carrying personal belongings for individual family members and from 34, I am told only 22 survived the attack and are now in a town called Deleny. 9 of them were looted and 16 sustained gun shots that they are in a completely bad shape,” he said.
The governor said he has asked officials charged with organization of the repatriation to let those who have survived the attack in Deleny return to Khartoum until alternative means of repatriation are found.
“Because of [the] possibility of another incident, I asked officials organizing the return to allow those who are currently in Deleny to return to Khartoum until other means of transporting them back home are found,” said governor Anei.
Garang Kuot Kuot, Secretary General of the state government said he was not sure of the authenticity of figures he heard from officials involved in the organization of the return of internally displaces persons from the area in Khartoum, because he also heard information that the whereabouts of 12 vehicles full of people is not known.
“You see, it is hard to give [an] accurate figure. The figures we have are the same figures we received from those charged with organization of repatriation process. What we have now and this is what the governor said at the press conference today is that he has information about 10 people were killed and 18 others were wounded. This is still the information we have and could be more because we heard 12 vehicles are still missing and nobody knows their whereabouts,” said Kuot.
(ST)
saban John
N. Bahr el Ghazal State says figures returnees killed in ambush could be over 10
malong, you should go back to school to learn how to tell the truth. you guys are killing yourselves and are accusing arabs for nothing. I am a southerner but i lived with arabs for long time. they don’t kill anyone, it is strongly against their tradition.
Just keep quiet if you have nothing to say. I talk like this because am telling the truth.
I urge all south sudanese to distance themselves from Malong’s allegations. what the messirya say is true and that is what all should abide with unless if you lack analytical skills. vote for unity.
thanks
Aleu
N. Bahr el Ghazal State says figures for returnees killed in ambush could be over 10
To: governor Paul Malong Awan and the GOSS.
We are very sorry for those our lovely people lost their lives in the middle of their freedom, but on the other hand also I think the ignoring the fact is another big problem from our people in Southern Sudan. The people who were living in the Northern Sudan were been informed earliest time to make their choice after the peace agreement was signed in Kenya unfortunately, they did ignored the reality which has happen now in their lives, should the GOSS be responsible for blame, I think that is remain to be seen.
I have also written about 3 letters to the GOSS and all 10 governors and I was very specific on how the good preparation mean to them and proctection of the Southern Sudanese civilians from unknown places such as those Southern Sudanese who are now dying between North Sudan and South eventual under the North Sudan government’s plan. I thought GOSS would have been strong handing over this process to the U.N.or works together coordinately Early to bring all those Southerners Sudanese who were interesting to come to Southern unfortunately, it did not happen that way and I can tell that, the GOSS was begun process too late and too little and they were not able to bring these thousands/ million Southern Sudanese from North Sudan to their land Southern Sudan.
I do not have to tell everythings which I have wrote and sent to the above mention, but again GOSS must given this resposibility to the U.N. with no late than this January31,2011. Telling these Southern Sudanese civilians to returns inside North Sudan Khartoum is just like telling them to be in jail or they will face death in the Northern Sudan for that matter. Everything now in Northern Sudan is gimmick for Southern Sudanese to afford living in North Sudan and I knew that, my letters which I have explain in good detail by details will get disapproved by the GOSS and governors but only the Lake governor was the one who understood my concerns why I was speak up thus, I have regretted to see there is no one listen to Southern Sudanese people who have a feeling. I wish GOSS must reread those 3 letters of mine, but most importantly is the understanding what are they concerns for all citizens and try to work for solution intead of being peace maker while the side is killing your people.
Denganekbiok
N. Bahr el Ghazal State says figures for returnees killed in ambush could be over 10
Misseriya actually must be responsible for such killing, Governor is right. But you Sabat John, you talk as if you are the ring leader, you must know the group responsible for this killing. You may not be a southerner only that you have used Southerners name, Aram Alek. Did you ever heard of tribal conflict in NBG Sabat John? If no then, why should this happen?