South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
By Toby Collins
November 18, 2011 (LONDON) – South Sudanese rebels claim the successful “liberation” of Pigi county, Jonglei state on 16 November and warned of an impending attack on Malakal, Upper Nile state.
The rebel South Sudan Liberation Army / South Sudan Defence Force (SSLA/SSDF), in a statement released on 17 November, urged civilians to leave Malkal “within two weeks” in preparation for operation “Saving South Sudan”.
Jonglei’s state minister of law enforcement, Duop Lam confirmed the Pigi county attack in an interview with Sudan Tribune on 16 November, but was unable to confirm the number of casualties.
Presumably ‘Saving South Sudan’ is distinct from ‘Operation Ending Corruption’, which the SSLA’s spokesperson announced on 15 November in a statement in which they warned of an attack on Benitu, the Unity state capital.
The rebel SSLA states that as many of the citizens of Malakal do not have access to media they, “have already started contacting chiefs in Upper Nile State to be aware of an impending attack so that they inform their subjects ahead of time.”
Recently the SSLA rebels carried out a series of attacks, near the border between the two Sudans. From 29 October to 17 September the rebels attacked positions in Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states.
The SPLA spokesperson, Philip Aguer, accused the Sudanese army of providing the SSLA with two tanks which were used in the Kuek attack on 12 November. He told Reuters, “The tanks were shelling SPLA positions using 100mm mortar,”.
“This is the first time that their involvement [in the border unrest] has become more obvious,” he further said.
North Sudan is in conflict with the rebel, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, both of which are just north of the international border.
Khartoum accuses Juba of backing the SPLM-N rebels who are the former allies of the South Sudan ruling party before the independence.
As tensions increase, South Sudan is ratcheting up its accusations of Khartoum backing for the SSLA.
Marial told Reuters, “These are mercenaries being trained and armed by Khartoum […] These militias come and they [Khartoum] support them with artillery. They have crossed the border.”
To which the Sudanese army spokesman, Al-Sawarmi Khalid, responded, “This information is wrong. We don’t support rebels or mercenaries in South Sudan”.
(ST)
Green
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Stop pointing at khartoum government always! Go after those rebel! Calling the international community always for our defend is stupide. Deal with your security, there are millions of problems on earth! When USA was attacked by Torrorist, did they called any international community! stop calling UN and defend your sovereignity! War has been in Dafur for years, did UN take action? Is not easy pls?
Brother Billy
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
It has been my interest for so long to ask questions trying to know what are the mandate given to the Ministry of defense in regard to such insecurity related issues within the country? You guys will one day surprise to hear that Juba is under SSLA control as the National government sees SSLA to be doing null and voids.I do fail to understand what the ministry of defense is defending, only Juba?
Murle Intellectual
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
If the breaking news of the realse of our two journalists brothers is true, then that is a good news for today. Coming to the proxy wars. The promoting of tribalism by this regime, and the control of key positions plus the mass stealing of South Sudan peoples’ money by this regime, all these evils will lead to unrest and wars in our new country
Green
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
@ Brother, those guys there in Juba, i dont know, what in theirs mind! when anything happen, the first thing you hear, is an accusation, between S. and North. I dont know if they are aware about what is going in the world? There are issues that cannt go to the UN, period! IMF loan and military action to be authorized by security council is not easy! Rwanda is a good example, who care for Africa!
Alier42
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
@ Brother Billy
we wanted SSLA to take over juba as soon as possible ,because there is goverment in this world like our who is at war with it citizens economically ,also targeting it highly educated individuals for pointing out their mistake,otherwise new faces will bring end to suffering beared by south sudanese for the last six years of impunity of all nature.
Green
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
@ Murle, my dear,corruption is every where in the world! building of the nation-state is not like building the house.Its take times! A lot of people have been fooled by western ideology that Africa is the only corrupted continent. It is completely wrong! capitalism is the most corruption system on earth, dont just blame people for nothing! It is a modern term, to destroy leadership of third world!
Ahmado
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
My message to Khartoum government that they should learn from past and manergin 22 years of civil war in the south arabs they don’t fighting they using other people to fight to them in 22years of civil war Egyptian to fight to them eg al-gama mobolize Egyptian youths to fight south sudan and their aim to stablish islamic religion which they failed to acheive and al-gama of Egypt is now regreting.
Frak Cho
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Dear Green,
You did say the right thing. Let the Nation not point hands to North Sudan as their attitude towards South Sudan is well known. The North Sudan created and supported the ethnic tensions in South Sudan arming rebels and Pu-poplar Defence Forces were used by Arab North to crash the Southern peopl, that’s why during the war even civilian houses were burned to ashes, Khartoum is merciless
J P Puok
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Rebels attacked again they claimed the fall of Pigi.
Now in Juonglei they are called rebels and in western Nuer state Bentiu the same SSLA are called Nuer militia by some unpartriotic south Sudanese in this website. when shall we love our country jointly and brotherly without prejudes?
with time the egg will walk mark my words……!
Wen De David Kuol
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
What is happening in South Sudan is un believable. Instead of Development, people concentrate on Distruction of lives through proxy war. Amnesty issue should be limited and SPLA must be BOLD to deals with all Rebels in the South.
Stop Blaming Khartuom, “action speak louder than words” I Know those rebels includes our own brothers but if they are abiding to Goverment policies. Corruption is Not
Wen De David Kuol
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Even Murle are harboring corruption since beginging of thier land. Stealling other People Properties and CHILDRENS is not something implanted in thier blood. How come the Blame the Governement that give them freedom of Movement and lootings other People Animals and yet the Government favor them. Bring the Thought, i this was Kenya, Murle could have decease of Wipe out of SOuth Sudan-Jonglei land
thokpiny de Deng de Thokpiny
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
I agree with Mr. Green .The rebellion in the South has nothing to do with Khartoum rather than our own failure. We must understand the origin of these rebellion and then come up with a solution rather than crying daily . This will not help
mon-mandhal
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Murle intellectual.
What right do people like murle intellectual have to talk on issues related to corruption?
If we were to deal with corrupts people,i thing Juba national prision could not fit the Murle criminals believe me. They are naturaly thievs of all time,theirs is not political struggle,but only stealing peopl,s children,cattle $ unreasionable killing.
I wish him imediate ares
Murle Intellectual
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
You jonkoz people tell all kinds of lies against Murle because you are the real culprits and thieves in South Sudan. Some Murle who are uninformed villagers buy your children when you take them to Pibor for sale. After the sale, you turn and twist the story to mislead the world
Red Army
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Jaang,
Your corruption and dictatorship is causing the revolutionary forces to liberate South Sudan. Unless Jaang in Power will stop stealing and dictating South Sudan, the mighty revolutionary forces under SSLA/SSDM, AND SSDF will definitely liberate the entire Greater Upper Nile. Jaang Bor need to stop accusing Murle because you sell your chicken-head kids to Murle and call it an abduction.
Red Army
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Green,
You got it correctly brother! They must stop complaining and expect that a UN would come to their rescue. Everyday is blah blah! And they never manned up and act on their own. Well, that is why all South Sudanese must rally and support the revolutionary forces so that they can topple this weak and coward president so that a strong and competent leader will be installed to save RSS.
Red Army
South Sudan rebels claim another attack; army furthers Khartoum-backing accusations
Hey Wend de David,
Corruption and dictatorship in Juba can not be compared to other corruption in the world. Of course, there maybe a corruption somewhere in the world but it is minimal unlike this rampant corruption in South Sudan that is practised in an open looting in million dollars. Talking capitalism is a different issue and does not make sense here either. Jaang Bor sells kids to Murle.