Sudan accuses four foreigners arrested in Heglig of working for Juba
April 28, 2012 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese army said on Saturday it has arrested four foreigners in Heglig for illegally entering Sudan, and accused them of spying for the South Sudanese army, but Juba denied the claims and the UN mission in Juba said Khartoum arrested its personnel.
The spokesperson for the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) Al-Sawarmi Khaled, following their arrival told reporters that the four men were flown to Khartoum for more questioning over the reasons of their illegal entry to Sudanese territory.
They were arrested inside the Sudanese territory in Heglig, doing “suspicious work”, he said, adding that the four men were collecting debris of military equipments destroyed during the recent clashes in the area between the Sudanese and South Sudanese armies.
The Sudanese military spokesperson went further to say that the arrested foreigners were riding a military vehicle and had some military equipment. However, this would be compatible with the reports they were part of a mine clearance team. He pointed out that Sudan has always accused South Sudan of getting help from outside to capture Heglig and sabotage of its oil installations.
Juba army took the control of Heglig from April 10-20 and there was heavy fighting between SAF and the South Sudanese army (SPLA )clashed before the withdrawal of SPLA troops. Khartoum said the sabotage of the oil fields was conducted by foreign experts.
Sudan’s defence minister Abdel-Rahim Hussein on Friday said that Juba was not able to carry out the the recent attack on Heglig adding that foreign powers were planning to topple the regime. He said that Darfur rebels took part in the Heglig attack, although this has been denied.
The spokeswoman for the British Embassy in Khartoum said the embassy is looking into the issue, but they don’t have details from the Sudanese authorities.
The South Sudanese army however denied having any link with the arrested people. Philip Aguer, SPLA spokesperson said they learnt that a UN truck had got lost after leaving Paryang, north of Bentiu, the capital of Unity State.
While South Sudanese government spokesperson Bernaba Benjamin, told Reuters that the arrested people belong to United Nations and aid groups working in mines clearance.
MECHEM, a South African demining company, said in a press release issued yesterday that two of its workers, a South African and a South Sudanese were arrested by the Sudanese authorities.
The company which runs several road demining projects in Sudan as well as in South Sudan further said they are implementing a UN contract and “our employees have full UN immunity.”
From Juba, the UN Mission in South Sudan confirmed the arrest of one of its officials without elaborating.
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Al Jazeera English | Sudan arrests four foreigners in Heglig | 28 April 2012