Sudan’s police academy expels southerners who celebrated fall of Heglig

April 15, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese interior ministry today said that it has permanently suspended all South Sudan students from its Police Academy over gestures they made in celebration of the fall of Heglig, which took place Tuesday 10 April.

South Sudan’s army (SPLA) entered Heglig after what it claimed was attacks by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) inside its territories which forced Juba’s army to engage and pursue them all the way to Heglig.

Heglig is internationally recognised to be part of Sudan’s South Kordofan State. However, in recent days South Sudanese officials asserted that the oil-rich region belongs to nine-month-old nation and in particular to oil-rich Unity State.

But South Sudan’s occupation has drawn international condemnation amid demands for the SPLA’s immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

The interior ministry said that the southerners were celebrating Heglig’s capture in a manner inconsistent with Sudanese laws and rules of Police and Law Sciences School.

According to the statement on the ministry’s website, the students “irritated” their Sudanese counterparts and used inappropriate language prompting their dismissal in accordance with rules and regulations.

The press release noted that the South Sudanese students were studying on a grant provided by the Sudanese government. It did not provide figures about their numbers but suggested that none will be remain there after today’s decision.

(ST)