Sudanese officer denies role in attack on southern town of Akobo

NAIROBI, Feb 24, 2005 (Sudan Radio Service) –SPLA Sudan People’s Liberation Army forces recaptured Akobo town in southeastern Sudan, near border with Ethiopia, on 19 February after it was briefly overrun by an armed group suspected to be allied to the government of Sudan last week.

SPLA fighters guard a village.

Last Friday, the SPLM commissioner of Akobo, Commander Dou Yaak Chol, accused the Sudan government ally, Brig Timothy Taban Juc, of being behind the attack on Akobo.

But Brig Taban Juc in Malakal denied any links with the attack on Akobo. He insisted that he is the legitimate commissioner of Akobo appointed by the government of Sudan.

Juc said “No not myself, I told you that I did not go to Akobo and I’m now talking to you in Malakal and not in Akobo. I’m with the Sudan government and I’m already integrated as a brigadier in the Sudan Armed Forces”.

Commander Dou Yaak says the armed group that briefly occupied Akobo killed three SPLA soldiers, looted property and destroyed buildings.

Yaak indicated three people were killed. Part of the hospital is destroyed, the church is destroyed, and some buildings in the church were destroyed. About 2,000 tukuls (huts) were destroyed.