Sudan’s defense minister says Khartoum will not allow Juba to support rebels

January 8, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese defence minister, General Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussein, has stressed that his country will not allow South Sudan to serve as a mainstay for Sudan’s rebels, warning that Khartoum is ready for war if Juba seeks it.

Sudan has already branded its southern neighbour as “the biggest threat to national security” less than seven month since the south seceded to form an independent state in line with a 2005 peace deal that ended their decades-long civil war.

The ex-war foes remain engaged in floundering talks to resolve their disputes over oil resources, demarcation of borders and the contested region of Abyei.

In a packed rally held on Sunday at the main stadium of Sinjah town, the provincial capital of Sinnar state in central Sudan, General Hussien said that Sudan would not allow the south to become “a springboard for Sudan’s enemies”.

Khartoum and Juba routinely trade accusations of supporting rebel groups on each others territories. Sudan has complained twice to the UN Security Council (UNSC) against Juba’s alleged support for rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N), which is fighting the Sudanese government in the border states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and rebel groups from Sudan’s western region of Darfur.

“Khartoum has ceded the south for the sake of peace. If you [Juba] choose to do otherwise, we are ready for it”, Hussien warned.

He went on to assert that Sudan is ready to defend its territories should the south seek hostility.

However, he later toned down his criticism and affirmed that Khartoum is interested in having good relations with the south.

“We want safe borders and good neighbourly relations. Therefore we hold out our hands [to the south] in good faith for friendship” he added.

Stadium mishap kills three, injures 100

In related news, at least three people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a stampede at Sinjah’s stadium during the rally in which the defence minister delivered his speech.

Eye witnesses told Sudan Tribune that the incident occurred following an altercation involving a police and army officer.

The witnesses said that the crowd started to panic and rushed to the gates after police forces fired tear gas to break up the fight.

One witness said five people were killed but an official at Sinjah’s Hospital said only three dead bodies were received.

(ST)