South accuses Sudan of killing 3 people in N. Bahr el Ghazal
March 26, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan has accused the government of neigbouring Sudan of launching a heavy and coordinated attack on its Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, killing at least three innocent civilians and wounding several others in Rual horic, east of the disputed Kiir Adem are, local people and county authorities said Tuesday.
After months of stalling the two sides agreed to implement the deal, which will create a demilitarised buffer zone 10 km either side of the tense and contested oil rich border, as well as allow South Sudan to resume exporting its oil through Sudan for the first time in over a year.
“The Sudanese armed forces have been increasingly active in the area this week. The activity zone of the Sudanese armed forces has expanded considerably from last week, immediately realising that SPLA forces have completely pulled out of the area.
Their activities in the area are becoming serious security concern not only to the civil population but also us in the government”, Hal told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday from Gokmachar, the area’s administrative headquarters.
The official said three people were killed when armed Arab tribes backed by the Sudan Armed Forces collaborating with their aligned militia carried out a raid on the area.
“They killed three civilians who have gone to fish. They [the civilians] were found at the fishing site when they were killed. None of them had survived. This incident occurred today at around 11:30am. It was in Rual horic, east of Kiir Adem. Another attack was carried out by the Sudanese armed forces themselves in Kiir adem against civilians. They just opened fire on civilians. The civilians were unaware. They did not know. It was a surprised and well organised attack. The intention is to chase civilians away from the area”, Hal said.
Mel Wal Achien, who represents the area in South Sudan’s national parliament, said Aweil North’s leaders would hold the government of South Sudan and the international community responsible for the loss lives and properties.
There is a United Nations mission in South Sudan with a strong chapter seven mandate to protect civilians, but policing the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ) is due to be monitored by the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei – the main disputed border region – as part of a Joint Border Verification Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) with military officials from both nations.
“There was another attack today. Three people have been killed in Rual horic, East of Kiir Adem The Sudanese armed forces are taking advantage of the withdrawal of SPLA forces from the area. They have moved into the area in full capacity. Instead of withdrawing they are deploying and carrying out attacks and killing of innocent civilians. What is happening is a political strategy by the government of Sudan so that civilians can flee the area. This is clear a clear tactic”, explained Achien.
The legislator said his community will hold the negotiators of the government of South Sudan responsible for the deaths. He accused the negotiating team at the African Union mediated talks with Sudan in Addis Ababa of giving over the land “of our ancestors”.
The inclusion of the Mile 14 and Kiir Adem in the Safe Demilitarised Border Zone at the suggestion of the African Union and other members of the international community has been strongly criticised.
Politicians from Northern Bahr el Ghazal are concerned that allowing the areas to be included in the buffer zone may indicate the the ownership of the land is in dispute with Sudan, a notion they strongly deny.
Despite the deal stating that the position of the buffer zone will in no way prejudice any final resolution of the many border conflicts, many in South Sudan are suspicious of Sudan’s intentions.
Achien said the the AU, UN and other members of the international community – notably the three main sponsors of the 2005 peace deal that led to South Sudan’s separation from Sudan: Britain, the United States and Norway – involved in the north-south negotiations should be held “responsible for the loss of lives and properties. You cannot withdraw the national army which was providing security so that people are allowed to be killed. What they have done is a crime of the highest order.”
The visibly angry MP told Sudan Tribune that contrary to Khartoum’s claims the Sudan Armed Forces continue to remain in the area in contravention of the implementation roadmap agreed to by the two sides on March 12.
“Something is fishy about this agreement. Why [do] the Sudanese Armed Forces continue to remain in the area which is supposed to be arms free? Why is the international community keeping quiet? Why is the African Union? We will hold [them] responsible for the loss of lives”, Achein said.
Phillip Aguer, the South Sudan army (SPLA) spokesperson, confirmed the attack and said they have presented a written complaint to the United Nations Interim Security Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) regarding the incident.
“We expected UNISFA to start visiting some of these areas soon after the signing of the agreement on implementation of the buffer zones, to assess, compile information and raise complaints on any form of violation. We don’t know what it preventing them from doing all these,” Aguer said by phone Wednesday.
He did not, however, divulge more details on casualties involved in the attack.
When contacted by Sudan Tribune, Daniel Adekera, the acting UNISFA spokesperson said he could not react to the matter since he was not on ground.
(ST)