Northern Bahr el Ghazal gives security top priority over internal affairs

May 21, 2012 (JUBA) – Officials from South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State said Monday that providing security to civilians and protecting the border with Sudan was the priority of the government.

In March and April Sudan and South Sudan fought a border conflict over the disputed oil-producing region of Heglig. South Sudan’s army (SPLA) occupied the region halting production for 10 days, its says, in response to repeated attacks launched by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) from the area.

“We are currently engaged in security matters. Security now is on top of all our activities”, Garang Majak Bol, a member of the State Legislative Assembly told Sudan Tribune from Aweil town, capital of the state.

Bol said he was part of the delegation led by Aweil South County commissioner, Jel Mangok Jel, which paid a solidarity visit to positions held by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) inside areas part of the republic of South Sudan along the border with neigbouring Sudan.

South Sudan says that over 80 bombs have been dropped on its territory. Both sides accuse the other of backing rebel groups either side of the new poorly-demarcated and contested international border.

“Our mission was to deliver contributions made by our communities in Aweil South County, where a lot of citizens contributed whatever they could to support our gallant forces in the frontline. We delivered 200 heads of cattle, more than 130 goats and more than 100 chickens among other items”, said the member of the state parliament.

Massive recruitment campaigns have taken place north and south of the border, in preparation for what many fear could be a return to conflict. However, the border area has been largely peaceful since a 2 May United Nations Security Council Resolution calling on both sides to cease hostilities and return to negotiations over the border, oil, and security issues.

Bol said the security was essential to give people the confidence for economic development to take place. The SPLA’s “primary task” is to safeguard the country’s territory, he said.

(ST)