Jongeli governor accuses north of instigating conflict ahead of South Sudan’s independence
By Philip Thon Aleu
June 2, 2011 (BOR) – Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk said Tuesday that the northern military’s deployment at sites occupied by Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states is an attempt to ignite renewed conflict and to disrupt South Sudan’s independence in July.
Although Sudan’s second civil war began in the South Sudan town of Bor in 1983, many of the people’s of the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan and Blue Nile joined the SPLA in their conflict against Khartoum.
Governor Kuol said SPLA forces in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states in north Sudan that fought alongside the former rebel movement cannot leave their homes.
“The Nuba who are in the SPLA in southern Kordofan will not move out because that is their land,” said the governor. “Where do they go to? In fact there will be fighting and could be a reason for Khartoum government to attack the south [Sudan],” he added.
As part of a 2005 peace deal South Sudan voted to separate from the north in referendum earlier this year. Independence of the south means that SPLA soldiers who are from northern states such as South Kordofan and Blue Nile will be north of the border and still governed by Khartoum.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) provided for this eventuality by awarding the regions ‘popular consultations’ to assess whether the deal addressed their grievances and define their future relationship with Khartoum.
Governor Kuol accused the north of dragging its feet on border demarcation claiming that “they might move and occupy some areas inside the south.” Khartoum’s ruling National Congress Party has said it would not recognise the south’s independence if the border is not demarcated before July 9.
The SPLA would “definitely … fight back” if the north occupies areas deep inside the oil-producing south, he said.
On May 21 the SAF marched into the disputed region of Abyei dislodging SPLA forces using tanks and air strikes and dismissed Abyei’s civilian administration. Khartoum says the move, which is in contravention of the peace deal and recieved international criticisism, was in response to a southern attack on an SAF convoy near the area.
Last week, the SAF gave the SPLA an ultimatum to move its forces out of Kordofan and Blue Nile states or they would be removed forcefully. The SAF said this process must begin by June 1, but the SPLA have said that they cannot move them as the people concerned are not southern Sudanese but natives of the region’s in question.
The Jonglei state governor made the remarks while meeting international Non-governmental organization and UN agencies in a monthly briefing he co-chairs with South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission to discuss state and national political and security issues.
(ST)