Warrap state attack: South Sudan accuses Khartoum of arming militia
By Toby Collins
January 30, 2012 (LONDON) – South Sudan’s interior minister, Alison Manani Magaya, on Monday accused Khartoum of arming a militia responsible for killing “over 40” people in Warrap state.
“More weapons are flowing in from Khartoum … particularly Unity state and Upper Nile,” said Magaya
Spokesman for the Sudanese military, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Sawarmi Khaled, denies the claims.
Magaya was unable to specify the affiliation of those responsible for the attack. The South Sudan Liberation Movement / Army and South Sudan Democratic Movement / Army are Unity states most active rebels, but preceding recent attacks, they have released statements urging civilians to evacuate the area. It is probable that the militia was unaligned.
The attack took place in a tumultuous part of South Sudan at a time when the country is subject to increased security pressures internally and externally.
The South Sudanese army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, was put on high alert on 25 January after reports of bombing raids within its borders, perpetrated by Khartoum; and in an escalation of the ongoing dispute over the payment of oil transit fees.
Jonglei state, to the east of Unity, has recently been the scene of conflict between the Murle and Luo-Nuer ethnic groups. The UN estimates nearly 120,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.
South Kordofan, to the north of Unity, across the international border, is subject to ongoing conflict between Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North rebels which the UN estimates has displaced 200,000.
Both Juba and Khartoum have accused one another of backing rebel movements operating within their national boundaries.
The Small Arms Survey released a report in October 2011 which claimed that weapon seizures indicated that a significant quantity of South Sudanese arms may have come from Khartoum.
(ST)