S. Sudan petitions Security Council over Sudan’s military aggression
By Julius N. Uma
December 07, 2011 (JUBA) –The government of South Sudan has launched an
official petition to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),
demanding immediate withdrawal of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) from parts
of the south, a minister announced on Tuesday.
affairs minister said, is the call for immediate release of southern
soldiers allegedly taken as prisoners as well as an appeal for
Khartoum to cease all form of aggression likely to trigger a return to
war.
“We urge the international community to exert more pressure on the
Government of Sudan and ask them to respect the sovereignty of South
Sudan and its territorial integrity. That is all,” Nhial told a press
conference in Juba, the South Sudan capital.
While giving a chronology of the series of attacks allegedly carried
out by SAF in several parts of South Sudan’s Upper Nile and Unity
state, the foreign affairs minister said his government has directed its
forces to expel these northern forces from its territories,
but added that dialogue remains the best option.
For instance, In a November 28 attack at Um-Dolwich agricultural
scheme in Renk County, Upper Nile state, Nhial said four SPLA soldiers
were killed, one went missing and another taken a prisoner.
The southern army, he assured, has already succeeded in securing most
of the territories previously invaded by their northern counterparts,
citing Jaw, and area located on the north-south border, which was
recently occupied by SAF.
Continuous provocation from the north, he told journalists, could
result into war between the two nations, after the bitterly fought a
two-decade conflict halted by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement
(CPA).
“We will not attack president Bashir directly, but if his forces
continue invading our territories, then we will have no option since
we have to protect our territories and it’s our citizens,” said the
foreign affairs minister.
Meanwhile, Nhial denied reports that the southern government had asked
the US government declare a no-fly zone over South Sudan, saying such
a decision can only be mandated by the UNSC.
“Am not aware of any request for a no-fly zone over the south and like
I said before, we made a complaint to the security council and it will
have to be their mandate to make such a declaration,” he said.
The Kenyan Africa Review this weekend published statements attributed to the South Sudan foreign affairs minister saying that President Salva Kiir demanded the American administration to establish a no-fly zone along the border with the Republic of Sudan.
Sudanese officials reacted to the report calling on Juba to stop its support to the Sudanese rebels in South Kordofan and Blue Nile instead of requesting US protection.
The head of political sector in the ruling National Congress Party went to say that Juba admitted its defeat by the Sudanese army.
The Sudan Armed Forces have captured Jau in Unity state, South Sudan last Saturday saying they took control of the headquarters of South Kordofan rebels. Khartoum also alleged that SPLA soldiers are fighting with the rebels.
(ST)