S. Sudan denies harbouring JEM rebels who dismiss participating in Deim Zubeir fighting
May 18, 2016 (JUBA/KHARTOUM) – South Sudan Wednesday has vehemently denied reports that it provides a ground for training and other military aids to various armed opposition groups fighting the government of neighbouring Sudan.
Rizik Zachariah Hassan, governor of newly created Lol State told Sudan Tribune that there were no Sudanese rebels inside South Sudan.
“The reports that Sudanese rebels of Justice and Equality Movement have clashed with armed men in Deim Zubeir are not correct. There are no Sudanese rebels operating in the territory of the Republic of South Sudan. We have said this time [and] again, in different forums and interviews with the media, yet the same media we have spoken to continues to report incorrectly, acting on rumours and unfounded reports generated [by] unscrupulous sources,” Hassan said.
“The so called anonymous sources, who are they?” he asked during an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
The governor who is the overall head of security dossier in the area, said bilateral issues are usually carried out through the appropriate diplomatic channels instead of resorting to using the media.
In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, JEM Spokesperson Jibril Adam Bilal said his movement “was not and would not be party to the conflict in South Sudan”.
He also denied that JEM is biased towards any of the warring parties, stressing the movement has no presence in the South Sudan’s territory.
“Supporters of the [Sudanese] regime continued to throw tendentious accusations [about JEM’s presence in South Sudan,” he said.
“Therefore, the reports about clashes in Deim Zubeir area inside South Sudan’s territory don’t concern JEM in any manner and [the movement] was not party to [ those clashes],” he added
Several security sources and military officers told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday they have managed with the help of “friendly forces” to take control of a military site known in the area by the local people to have been used as “a hideout” for armed groups, who have not formed their own organization.
The armed groups are believed to be loyal to politicians allied to armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA-IO) under the overall leadership of the First Vice President, Riek Machar.
A state minister in Lol state also confirmed there was a clash between two different groups in the area on Tuesday morning but could not tell exact details of casualties.
Both the minister and security officers as well as military intelligence officers from the SPLA’s fifth infantry division in the area, insisted on anonymity saying that their comments, should they reveal their names, may further irritate relations between the two countries, which have been historically bumpy.
Two other high level officials at the ministry of foreign affairs on Wednesday declined to comment on the development in Bahr el Ghazal. One diplomat told Sudan Tribune Wednesday that he will not discuss the state of relations through the media.
South Sudan has long been concerned that the Sudanese government could use the allegation that it continues to provide support and training ground to rebels fighting to topple the government of President Bashir as a basis to provide support against Juba, or agents linked to the regime or its allies.
Though western countries believe Juba is supporting Sudanese rebel groups, they are nevertheless concerned about the recent rebel advances along the common border.
Observers fear that the fall of border areas into hostile group could unleash lawlessness on common border and provide a haven for group operating against the existence of the two regimes.
(ST)