Former southern soldiers in Sudan’s army stage demonstration in Khartoum

February 15, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Around 100 former South Sudanese soldiers at the Sudanese army demonstrated in Khartoum for several hours today demanding disbursement of severance pay more than six months after the south seceded and became an independent state.

The ex-soldiers threw rocks at cars driving down the busy Africa Street in the Sudanese capital. Police surrounded the demonstrators but did not attempt to disperse them.

An unidentified spokesperson for the group told the Doha-based Al-Jazeera TV that they want their dues before they leave Sudan back to their homelands after serving loyally in the army.

“We have nothing to do with the south’s separation so that we pay the price by being denied our rights.” he said.

There are around 10,000 southern military officers from different ranks were relieved following the south’s decision to secede from the north.

Al-Jazeera said that it was prevented from taking photos at the scene by Sudanese authorities.

(ST)