South Sudan army to ascertain equipment captured from SAF

May 13, 2012 (JUBA) – South Sudan has asked its Ministry of Defense to investigate the number, type and origin of military equipment captured from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the disputed oil-rich area of Panthou/Heglig.

South Sudan’s army (SPLA) captured and occupied Panthou/Heglig town and its oilfields for 10 days from April 10-20, much to the anger of Khartoum and drawing strong criticism from the international community.

The SPLA says it withdrew voluntarily on April 20 due to international pressure taking with it military equipment including over a hundred vehicles, military tanks and fuel tanks containing millions of litres of fuel among other items. Khartoum says it forced the SPLA from the area killing over 1,000 Southern soldiers.

The head of the SPLA’s information department, Brig. Malaak Ayuen, announced on South Sudan state television that over 120 vehicles were captured from the area, however, the exact number and types is not yet known.

The National Mobilization Committee has asked the ministry of defense to ascertain the number of the equipment captured to the relevant authority as part of the efforts to mobilize and manage the materiel resources to fight the border war.

The two sides continue to express possibility of all-out war over the borderline and also accuse each other of supporting rebels to topple their respective governments.

(ST)