SPLM-N holds S. Sudan’s gov’t responsible for the death of senior officer
March 26, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) has held the South Sudan’s government responsible for the death of a senior rebel officer who died in Juba jail.
In a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune, a SPLM-N spokesperson Mubarak Ardol said that al-Hindi Ahmed Khalifa died while he was detained in a prison in the South Sudanese capital Juba.
Khalifa’s family had earlier demanded a full investigation into the circumstance surrounding his death.
Ardol further said that a delegation composed of the Movement’s chairman, Malik Agar, secretary general, Yassir Arman, besides leading figures Urwa Hamdan, Abdel-Bagi Mukhtar and Murad Muda offered their condolences to Khalifa’a family on 13 March.
The rebel spokesperson pointed the late officer enjoyed rare qualities and qualifications which enabled him to command SPLM-N’s center for military and political training, saying he also served as the Movement’s logistics officer in the Blue Nile for several years.
He also accomplished several delicate tasks since he joined the movement in 1997.
According to Ardol, the SPLM-N delegation furnished Khalifa’s sister with a detailed report on the findings of the official probe carried out by the rebel group, saying Khalifa and his comrades were unlawfully arrested by South Sudan’s security services.
“And as a result, Brig. Gen. al-Hindi Ahmed Khalifa died of illness in prison and among his fellow detained comrades,” the statement read.
The SPLM-N delegations condemned Khalifa’s death, saying they submitted an official protest to the government of South Sudan and held it fully responsible for the death of Khalifa.
They vowed to make serious efforts to recover his remains and offer him burial appropriate to “heroes and revolutionary patriots”.
The SPLM-N delegation also expressed sadness over the loss of Khalifa, hailing him as a comrade and top commander who dedicated his life to achieve a democratic and free Sudan which accommodates its entire people on the basis of equal citizenship, stressed the Sudanese group.
(ST)