South Sudan rebels postpone Unity state attack

By Toby Collins

November 20, 2011 (LONDON) – The South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) rebels have announced they will postpone their planned attack in ? state.

The SSLA issued a statement on 14 November announcing their intention to attack Malakal, the state capital, as part of Operation Ending Corruption. On 19 November they told Sudan Tribune they have rescheduled the offensive for December.

“Due to the appeal of UNHCR [UN Refugee Agency]” state the SSLA, they have postponed the attack planned for 21 November, in order for refugees from South Kordofan to be relocated.

Khartoum’s forces are in conflict with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North rebels in the border states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan. The group says it officially separated from the SPLM – South Sudan’s ruling party and former rebels – after South Sudan’s independence in July.

As a result of the SPLM-N’s conflict with the Sudanese military, up to 200 refugees are crossing the international border into Unity state, South Sudan, every day according to the UN. Khartoum, however, denies there are any northern Sudanese refugees in South Sudan.

The SSLA accuse the governor of Unity state, Taban Deng Gai, of intending to use the refugees as human shields.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the South Sudan’s army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, Philip Aguer, has accused the SSLA of being Khartoum’s “mercenaries”.

The UN and others have blamed the recent bombing of Yida refugee camp on Khartoum.

The SSLA mission “to liberate Unity State from Salva Kiir Mayardit [South Sudan’s president]” will begin in December.

(ST)