Sudanese govt still supporting Ugandan rebel group LRA

A news report from Uganda says accusations have emerged that the Sudanese government still supports the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. The new claims emerged at meeting of civil society groups in Juba by the head of the Anglican Church in Lomega, Rev. Paul Jugusuku.

"The Sudan government is still supporting the LRA," Rev. Jugusuku told the BBC's Network Africa adding, "Every night I have been in Juba the antonov comes and drops food and ammunition to the LRA."

The accusations come two days after the Sudan government renewed the protocol allowing Ugandan forces to operate in south Sudan to fight the LRA rebels. Full Report by The Monitor via Sudan Tribune, May 20. 2005.



Photo: Joseph Kony, leader of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels (ST)

Sudan Tribune report May 21 says John Garang calls for reconciliation and unity among southern Sudanese.

Note, the report makes no mention of Khartoum recently renewing its agreement with Uganda to allow Ugandan troops into southern Sudan to fight the LRA group of Ugandan rebels that many say are supported by Khartoum.

However, it does say some critics, who say SPLM/A leader John Garang essentially acts in the interests of his Dinka people - the largest ethnic group in southern Sudan - warn that militia groups opposing him could move in, once Sudanese government troops withdrew from their southern positions in August.

Read more on LRA at Uganda Watch and Sudan Watch.
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Militia blocks aid delivery in Southern Sudan

Part of a major UN aid operation in Sudan has been suspended and is under review after a militia leader blocked the delivery of food, reports the BBC.



Photo: A barge carrying tonnes of food aid leaves New Fanjak in southern Sudan May 18, 2005. The UN. has suspended an aid operation after a pro-government militia leader blocked the delivery of food. The aid operation is now being re-evalauted, following security concerns after the assistance was rejected, May 18, 2005. (Reuters/ST)



Photo: Southern Sudanese men carry bags of food back onto a barge carrying food aid in New Fanjak in southern Sudan May 18, 2005. Distribution did not place as planned but is expected to restart on Saturday.

The barge convoy has been delivering humanitarian aid which includes food, farm implements fishing equipment seeds and educational material for schools to populations living along the Nile river. Reuters/Beatrice Mategwa

Full Story by Jonah Fisher, BBC, southern Sudan May 18, 2005.
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Report to UN Security Council on UN assistance to the AU Mission in the Sudan

Excerpt from the Secretary-General's report to the United Nations Security Council 3 May 2005:

"AMIS has been a groundbreaking initiative for the African Union and its supporters within the international community. The Mission has accomplished a remarkable amount in a very short time and despite significant constraints. Those constraints have been identified in the report of the AU-led assessment mission. It is now critical for all concerned to do their part. States members of the African Union must now identify personnel to join AMIS; the AU Commission must strengthen planning and management capacity in order to support an expanded mission; and partners must provide the African Union with the means required to carry out a costly and challenging task."

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