CAR: "LRA is now a terrorist organisation like Al-Qaeda" - ICC Ocampo: "Violence it is not a ticket to power, but to The Hague"

THE African Union (AU) is helping four nations in central Africa build an international army to corner cross-border guerrillas in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).

This new army, with soldiers from Uganda, Sudan, Central Africa Republic (CAR) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) will pursue the LRA across borders. AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamara says it's an encouraging plan that the AU will back.

At a meeting held 13-14 October 2010 in the CAR aimed at promoting a joint approach to the LRA, participants agreed to take steps to have the LRA classified as terrorists, rather than rebels, by the AU.

This would give affected countries greater access to international funds and require increased levels of judicial cooperation.

The representatives from Uganda, DR Congo and Sudan met in Bangui, CAR on Wednesday 13 October and Thursday 14 October, along with Kenya, where they also agreed to step up joint military action.

"Participants agreed to the following concrete measures: the creation of a joint centre of operations, the creation of a joint taskforce to lead actions against the LRA, and the deployment of joint border patrols," the AU said in a statement.

Ministers from the four countries affected by LRA attacks decided to establish the joint brigade - which would be backed by the AU - to go after the rebels.

They said they would also set up a joint operations centre, which would facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence.

The plan also envisages joint border patrols. All this would be co-ordinated by a special AU representative.

A diplomatic source contacted by the BBC says the plan also relies on Nigeria and South Africa - the only two African nations that have the logistical capacity to bring the plan to fruition.

This announcement is the first step towards the long-awaited creation of a mobile brigade that the AU can call on in times of trouble, the BBC World Service's Africa editor Martin Plaut says.

He says that although the AU statement only mentions the LRA, there are suggestions that this brigade could provide a blueprint for cross-border operations against al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, which is currently plaguing areas of Mali and Mauritania.

According to a news report by Press TV (see copy below) the LRA has headed for Darfur region in Sudan, amid calls for their arrest on charges of war crimes, an archbishop says. Excerpt:

The Catholic Archbishop Juan José Aguirre Munos of Bangassou city in southeast of Central African Republic announced that the LRA have recently attacked the town of Birao in the northeast --which borders Darfur -- of the country.

"I know for a fact that the largest group of LRA fighters has left the area in my diocese to head north. Among them is probably their leader, Joseph Kony," a Press TV correspondent quoted the archbishop as saying on Friday, 15 October 2010.

Source: See reports below.
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Five Noteworthy Quotes

"LRA rebels to be given 'terrorist' status" -African Union (Source: AFP report, 17 Oct 2010 - see copy below).
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"The LRA is now a terrorist organisation like Al-Qaeda. Thus, it is urgent today to put an end to the atrocities of this rebellion." -CAR Defence Minister Jean-Francis Bozize at African Union session on 14 October 2010 in Bangui, CAR. (Source: AFP report, 14 Oct 2010 - see copy below).
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"The worst enemies of Africa are African themselves. Those who pick up guns, munitions and other deadly weapons to killed citizens pretending saving the people from injustice or dictatorship.
But how many innocent people killed before to get to power and sometime never? These LRA, Al Qaeda in north Africa and all the rebel movement and any other thieves, bribery, embezzlement culprits have to be hunt down from Africa." -Anonymous commenter (Source: Comment at AFP report, 14 Oct 2010 - see copy below).
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"Kenya's case is a signal that if you produce massive violence it is not a ticket to power, but to The Hague." -ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo (Source: Daily Nation report, 22 Oct 2010 - see excerpt below).
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"Governments which shall come to power through unconstitutional means shall not be allowed to participate in the activities of the Union." -Article 30 on Suspension, African Union, Constitutive Act done at Lomé, Togo, 11 July 2000. (Source: International Law, 03 October 2010 www.dipublico.com.ar)

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VIOLENCE IS NOT A TICKET TO POWER, BUT TO THE HAGUE

According to a report by Daily Nation published Friday, 22 October 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is working towards using the Kenyan case as a deterrent to other African countries against use of violence as a means of getting into power. Excerpt:

Already, officials from the ICC have been to Guinea, which is planning its elections, and Cote d'voire to impress upon the leaders to hold peaceful elections.

"Kenya's case is a signal that if you produce massive violence it is not a ticket to power, but to The Hague," the ICC prosecutor said.

Mr Ocampo, however, admitted that he is working against 'strong elements' who still perpetuate the idea that committing atrocities is a way of gaining power.

Read full story at Daily Nation, 22 Oct 2010, reprinted today at Kenya Watch:"Kenya: Four to Stand Hague Trial Over Poll Violence This Year"
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THE LRA IS NOW A TERRORIST ORGANISATION LIKE AL-QAEDA

Ugandan rebel group threatens expanded violence in Darfur
Source: Catholic Culture.org
Date: Thursday, 14 October 2010. Excerpt:

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the armed group that has waged a campaign of terror and human-rights violations beginning in northern Uganda and spreading through central Africa, has now set its sights on the already troubled Darfur province of Sudan, an African archbishop has warned.

Archbishop Juan José Aguirre Muños of Bangassou in the Central African Republic told the Fides news service that LRA troops have attacked towns in his country, and now are headed north toward the uncontrolled border of Sudan. The LRA has long been involved in skirmishes in southern Sudan, near its original stronghold in northern Uganda. The move westward into Darfur could exacerbate the bloodshed that already plagues the province.

The LRA, which was originally regarded as a rebel group in Uganda, is led by Joseph Kony, who will face multiple human-rights charges before an international court if and when he is apprehended.

Bishop Muños reported that the LRA troops headed toward Darfur include a number of child soldiers. The group has made a practice of kidnapping children from the towns it raids and pressing them into service in combat.

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'Uganda's LRA heads for Sudan's Darfur'
Source: Press TV
Date: Friday, 15 October 2010 7:39AM:

Photo: Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)

The Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has headed for the already restive Darfur region in Sudan, amid calls for their arrest on charges of war crimes, an archbishop says.

The Catholic Archbishop Juan José Aguirre Munos of Bangassou city in southeast of Central African Republic announced that the LRA have recently attacked the town of Birao in the northeast --which borders Darfur -- of the country.

"I know for a fact that the largest group of LRA fighters has left the area in my diocese to head north. Among them is probably their leader, Joseph Kony," a Press TV correspondent quoted the archbishop as saying on Friday.

"In recent months, the LRA have attacked towns like Yalinga, then continuing north up to Birao, located in the far northeastern part of the country, on the border with Sudan's Darfur region," Munos stressed.

Meanwhile, Uganda's New Vision newspaper reported on its website Kony has entered the troubled Darfur region of Sudan.

“He is in Darfur, he crossed two weeks ago into southern Darfur,” said army spokesperson Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye was quoted on Thursday.

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UN agency sounds alarm over terror campaign by rebels in central Africa
Source: UN News Centre
Date: Friday, 15 October 2010:

The United Nations refugee agency today expressed concern over population displacement resulting from attacks perpetrated by the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in the Central African Republic and neighbouring countries.

The latest raid occurred in the town of Birao in the north of the Central African Republic (CAR) last Sunday, during which the rebels abducted a number of girls, looted property and set shops on fire, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva.

“The LRA’s campaign of terror against civilians has intensified since September,” with attacks in the CAR, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and southern Sudan, he said.

Northeastern DRC has seen at least six attacks and three ambushes in the last few weeks, all in Haut Uélé district. In a single village, Nambiongo, 21 people were killed and were 2,500 displaced, while fear prompted 2,000 people to flee Dungu, the district headquarters.

In southern Sudan, the LRA also attacked the villages of Ribodo and Nahua in Western Equatoria state on 4 September, killing eight people and displacing 2,600.

So far this year, the group, whose origins are in Uganda, has carried out more than 240 deadly attacks against civilians in the countries where it is active. At least 344 people have been killed.

People living in remote villages are often the victims of the group’s violence, including indiscriminate killings, abductions, rape, mutilation, looting and destruction of property.

Insecurity and poor infrastructure hamper the carrying out of needs assessments and the delivery of aid to affected communities. Many people are traumatized and too scared to return to their farms to cultivate their land, rendering them dependent of humanitarian aid, according to UNHCR.

“This means they will continue to depend on outside help for the foreseeable future,” Mr. Edwards said.

Since December 2008, the LRA has murdered 2,000 people, abducted more than 2,600 and displaced over 400,000, UNHCR said. An estimated 268,000 remain displaced in Orientale province in northeastern DRC, over 120,000 in Western Equatoria in southern Sudan and 30,000 in the southeast of the CAR.

There are also more than 24,000 civilians who have been forced into exile.

UNHCR assists those uprooted by LRA violence by providing emergency shelter, healthcare and psycho-social counselling. The agency supports host communities with water and sanitation facilities.

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Central Africa says 'fight LRA like Al-Qaeda'
Source: AFP (reprinted by StarAfrica.com)
Date: Thursday, 14 October 2010 16:05 GMT:

The Central African Republic called Thursday for the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) to be treated and fought like Al-Qaeda, in an appeal made at an African Union meeting.

"The LRA is now a terrorist organisation like Al-Qaeda. Thus, it is urgent today to put an end to the atrocities of this rebellion," Defence Minister Jean-Francis Bozize told AFP at the conference in the capital Bangui.

The meeting, which began on Wednesday and was being attended by other countries affected by LRA activity, "aims to evaluate the security, economic and humanitarian aspects of the LRA presence" in the CAR, Bozize said.

The LRA emerged in 1998 in northern Uganda as a rebel movement dedicated to overthrowing the east African country's government and establishing a regime to uphold the Biblical Ten Commandments.

Today however it is infamous for atrocities against civilians, including massacres, and has moved from Uganda to South Sudan, the CAR and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its leaders are wanted for war crimes.

CAR Foreign Minister Antoine Gambi told AFP that "for us, LRA elements are terrorists exactly like Al-Qaeda. The international community must not be stingy with the means to help Centrafrica to get rid of the insecurity created by this rebellion."

At the opening of the meeting, President Francois Bozize denounced the "incursions, pillage, massacres, rapes, hostage takings and villages that are systematically burned down" by the LRA in four regions of the poor landlocked country, national radio reported.

"I formulate the hope that this session will end in proposals and solutions adequate (to deal with) this recurring question," Bozize said.

The Bangui meeting was attended by representatives of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan -- all affected by the rebel group founded by Joseph Kony.

There were also delegates from Kenya, which is the current president of the AU Peace and Security Council, according to a document of the pan-African organisation.

Also present were members of regional organisations, humanitarian bodies and the United States, the document said.

The AU wants to "show the solidarity of the continent with the CAR and places the emphasis on shared responsibility faced with the LRA issue," AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said, quoted by national radio.

"This session should come up with audacious conclusions that orient us towards action against the LRA," Lamamra said.

In December 2008, the Ugandan army launched a surprise offensive against the LRA in the far northeast of the DR Congo. The operation failed to capture Kony, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, and neutralise the LRA, which reformed in several groups.

Since 2009, Ugandan soldiers have been hunting down the LRA in the CAR with the Bangui government's approval, but the rebels still manage brutal attacks against civilians and take hostages as forced labour.

On Wednesday, the International Crisis Group research institute stated that it believed that Kony is in Darfur in west Sudan. Sudan has not authorised Uganda to pursue Kony in Darfur, according to the ICG.

Comment on this article
President 14/10/10 16:22:

"The worst enemies of Africa are African themselves. Those who pick up guns, munitions and other deadly weapons to killed citizens pretending saving the people from injustice or dictatorship.
But how many innocent people killed before to get to power and sometime never? These LRA, Al Qaeda in north Africa and all the rebel movement and any other thieves, bribery, embezzlement culprits have to be hunt down from Africa."

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CAR, DR CONGO, SUDAN AND UGANDA WILL FORM A BRIGADE TO PURSUE THE LRA

LRA rebels to be given 'terrorist' status: African Union
Source: AFP
Date: Sunday, 17 October 2010. Excerpt:

LIBREVILLE — Central African countries plagued by the brutal rebellion of the Lord's Resistance Army are working to reclassify the group as terrorists, the African Union said on Saturday.

At a meeting this week in the Central African Republic aimed at promoting a joint approach to the LRA, participants agreed to take steps to have the LRA classified as terrorists, rather than rebels, by the AU.

This would give affected countries greater access to international funds and require increased levels of judicial cooperation.

The group has killed about 2,000 people in the last two years, and displaced more than 400,000, according to the UN.

Representatives from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan met in Bangui on Wednesday and Thursday, along with Kenya, where they also agreed to step up joint military action.

"Participants agreed to the following concrete measures: the creation of a joint centre of operations, the creation of a joint taskforce to lead actions against the LRA, and the deployment of joint border patrols," the AU said in a statement. [...]



Photo: An armed fighter of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) stands guard (AFP)

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Four African nations crack down on LRA
Source: BBC News online
Date: Saturday, 16 October 2010 - excerpt:

Four African nations have agreed to form a joint military force to fight Lord's Resistance Army rebels, the African Union says.

It says the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Uganda will form a brigade to pursue the militants.

The LRA, which originated in Uganda 20 years ago, has recently mounted deadly attacks in all four countries.

It now targets towns some 1,000km (600 miles) away from Uganda, the UN says. [...]

The action plan to fight the LRA was agreed at Friday's high-level meeting in Bangui - the capital of the Central African Republic, the AU said in a statement. The statement did not mention figures, but a brigade is commonly though to include at least 1,000 men.

Ministers from the four countries affected by LRA attacks decided to establish the joint brigade - which would be backed by the AU - to go after the rebels.

They said they would also set up a joint operations centre, which would facilitate the exchange of information and intelligence.

The plan also envisages joint border patrols. All this would be co-ordinated by a special AU representative.

A diplomatic source contacted by the BBC says the plan also relies on Nigeria and South Africa - the only two African nations that have the logistical capacity to bring the plan to fruition.

This announcement is the first step towards the long-awaited creation of a mobile brigade that the AU can call on in times of trouble, the BBC World Service's Africa editor Martin Plaut says.

He says that although the AU statement only mentions the LRA, there are suggestions that this brigade could provide a blueprint for cross-border operations against al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, which is currently plaguing areas of Mali and Mauritania.

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Central Africa Nations to Form Anti-LRA Fighting Force
Source: Voice of America (voanews.com) by Adrian Edwards in Dakar
Date: Thursday, 21 October 2010:



Photo: The leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, Joseph Kony, left, and his deputy Vincent Otti sit inside a tent Sunday 12, 2006 at Ri-Kwamba in Southern Sudan. (AP)

The African Union is helping four nations in central Africa build an international army to corner cross-border guerrillas in the Lord's Resistance Army.

Since 1987, a Ugandan band of Christian guerrillas has slipped past borders, killed thousands throughout central African villages, and waged what is today one of the continent's longest-running conflicts -- and that conflict isn't going to end, the African Union says, until the region's militaries can assemble a single, multinational army to fight it.

That's exactly what Central African heads of state signed up to do this week at a conference in Tripoli, where delegates drafted plans for an international anti-guerilla fighting force.

This new army, with soldiers from Uganda, Sudan, Central Africa Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo will pursue the Lords Resistance Army across borders. AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamara says it's an encouraging plan that the AU will back.

Lamara says the plan of action heads of state adopted in Tripoli calls on Central African countries to redouble their efforts. It also seeks to establish a coordinated military plan towards the objective of finally neutralizing the LRA, he says. This plan will put an end to their atrocities and destablizing activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Southern Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

The blueprint calls for military assistance from two of the continent's most experienced armies, Nigeria's and South Africa's. It also calls for cross-border intelligence sharing, and for AU support in tracking the maneuvers of Lords Resistance soldiers.

The guerilla faction operating out of Uganda's rural West has been attempting to overthrow Central African governments, Uganda's in particular, and transform the region into a Christian theocracy, with laws based on the biblical ten commandments.

But in the past two years alone, the sect has been accused of killing 2,000 people, and abducting another 2,600, in attacks that the U.N. Human Rights Council says were often orchestrated with child soldiers.

This year has been no less violent, U.N. spokesperson Adrian Edwards says.

"So far this year, the Ugandan rebel group has carried out more than 240 deadly attacks," Edwards said. "At least 344 people have been killed. In most cases these attacks are on vulnerable, isolated communities, with indiscriminate killings, abductions, rape, mutilation, looting and destruction of property."

The International Criminal Court maintains a crimes against humanity arrest warrant against on the LRA's leader, Joseph Kony.

On Thursday, Central Africa Republic defense minister Jean-Francis Bozize asked the international community to classify the guerrillas as a terrorist organization, like al-Qaida, he said.

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LRA And Ambororo Nomadas A Threat In WBGS
Source: SRS - Sudan Radio Service
Date: Friday, 22 October 2010:

(Wau) – Insecurity is increasing in Western Bahr al Ghazal state due to the presence of Lord’s Resistance Army and Ambororo nomads.

The commissioner of Wau County, Luka Anthony Ubur expressed his concerns to SRS on Thursday over the security situation in the area.

[Luka Anthony Ubur]: “Western Bahr El Ghazal state has been a very safe place ever since. But now there are cases of rising insecurity. Along the part which is neighboring Western Equitoria State, there is a lot of disturbance from activities of the L-R-A. They entered in the border between us and Raja in Kor Hajer and are now causing trouble. The presence of Ambororo is also a threat to our people.”

That was the commissioner of Wau County, Luka Anthony Ubur speaking to Sudan Radio service in Wau on Thursday.

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Further Reading



Photo: One of the world's most wanted rebel chiefs, Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army, (L) is seen shaking hand with southern Sudan's vice president Riek Machar (R) in this image taken from Reuters TV in Nairobi, May 24, 2006. (Reuters TV/CSM)

CAN A JOINT MILITARY FORCE DEFEAT THE LRA?
See comments (24, so far) posted at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/africahaveyoursay
Source: BBC World Service online - Africa HYS team
Date: Monday, 18 October 2010
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THOUGHT OF THE DAY

From Forbes.com

"All true love is founded on esteem."
-George Buckingham

URGENT S.O.S.: Leprosy patients at Agok Hospital in Western Bahr El-Ghazal, S. Sudan are starving due to lack of food

THIS news report made me cry. Although the report was noted here at Sudan Watch on 03 July 2010, I am publicising it again. Please, no matter where you are in the world, if you are in a position to help these people directly or know someone who might know someone who could help, please relay this news:

Report from SRS - Sudan Radio Service, published 23 June 2010:

Leprosy Patients In WBG Lack Food

23 June 2010 - (Rumbek) – Medical personnel at Agok Hospital in Western Bahr El-Ghazal state say Leprosy patients in the hospital are starving due to lack of food.

Speaking to SRS on Monday in Agok, Ms Ruth Kimani who attends to the patients said that the World Food Program which used to provide food to the hospital has reduced the food ration by half.

[Ruth Kimani] “We are not having enough medicine like to treat general conditions, for leprosy we do have enough but we don’t have enough to treat other diseases. You know even if they are alive they also fall sick to malaria and other diseases and also we need food supply. Because our supply that we usually get from the WFP has been cut into half of what we used to get. The UN says there is a problem we don’t know whether it is a global crises or what but we would really wish the government to do something about that because our patients are suffering”

One of the Leprosy patients at the hospital, Maria Nguec told SRS that they are hungry because they don’t fingers and toes to do any manual work.

[Maria Nguec] “My name is Maria Nguec and I m very hungry my problem is hunger, I don’t have legs and hands. There is no medicine so I can be injected even the food that I can eat is not there. We are 15 but that is not all of us, those without limbs like me are so many in the area, just the houses are less so they brought us here because of water and we are suffering there a lot of hunger in the area.”

Leprosy is a disease caused by bacteria. It mainly causes numbness.

Click here and here to view map showing Western Bahr el Ghazal.

Security update: High-level UNAMID visit to sheikhs of Kalma, S. Darfur - MSF suspends work in Gumuruk, Jonglei State, S. Sudan

ON July 30th, MSF (Doctors Without Borders) issued a statement (see below) confirming it had suspended its medical activities in Jonglei, southern Sudan due to robberies. MSF's work in other parts of the country remain open.

According to the statement, on July 1 an armed group entered MSF's Gumuruk clinic and stole boxes of the therapeutic ready-to-use food (RUTF) with which MSF treats severely malnourished children. Three days later, more RUTF was stolen along with medical equipment. Then, on July 27, four MSF staff members travelling by boat from Pibor to Gumuruk were violently robbed by armed men. Apart from a small Ministry of Health facility in Pibor town, MSF is the only primary health care provider in this part of Jonglei State, which is home to around 150,000 people, where villages are separated by large distances, and where roads are often impassable. Further details here below.

Note that the robbers seem desperate for food. I guess that if they are criminals, ie from the dreaded Ugandan terrorist group Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), they would have no legitimate way of getting food and medicines. As noted here at Sudan Watch yesterday, on Thursday Sudan Radio Service (SRS) reported an LRA attack in Western Bahr el-Ghazal State. Here is a copy of the report, followed by a UNAMID briefing on the security situation at Kalma IDP camp in South Darfur, western Sudan and news headlines from around the web via The New York Times.

From SRS - Sudan Radio Service
LRA Attack Western Bahr el-Ghazal State

Thursday, 29 July 2010 - (Khartoum) – The Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army, LRA attacked Yabulu village in Western Bahr el Ghazal state last week.

The acting governor of Western Bahr el-Ghazal State and state minister of legal affairs, John Peter Miskin spoke to SRS from Wau on Wednesday and confirmed the attack.

[John Peter Miskin]: “This is not the first time that the LRA attacked Western Bahr el-Ghazal and in particular Raja County. Such an attack has been repeated several times in this part of the state and what happened exactly was that on the 23rd of this July, the LRA sneaked into the state and threatened the people in that area and killed one civilian and abducted other four civilians.

Miskin said his government will beef-up security around Wau.

[John Peter Miskin]: “Inside Wau town the situation is normal but there are arrangements to deploy more troops towards western part of Wau town which will cover up to Raja this is the area that is under threat because it is the area that is repeatedly attacked by the LRA and they are scattered in this area. That area is considered a gateway for them because they move there en route south and northwards that is why there is a high security concern for that area.”

The LRA recent activities have been concentrated in Western Equatoria state.

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Darfur/UNAMID Daily Media Brief - Sunday, 01 August 2010
From United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
EL FASHER (DARFUR), western Sudan - via APO Monday, 02 August 2010:

Security situation update
The situation in Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp is currently calm but remains tense and unpredictable. UNAMID forces continue to be on high alert.

Acting Mission Chief Yonis visits South Darfur, addresses tensions in Kalma IDP camp
UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR) and acting Chief of Mission Mohammed Yonis today made a field visit to South Darfur, where he met with the State’s Wali (Governor) and leaders of the troubled Kalma Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, where conflicts over IDP participation in the Doha peace process negotiations recently turned violent, resulting in fatalities estimated, according to different sources, at between five and eight.

DJSR Yonis was accompanied by UNAMID senior officials as well as a Government military liaison officer. Upon arriving in Nyala, Mr. Yonis met with the Wali (Governor) of South Darfur, Dr. Abdul Hammid Musa Kasha, to discuss the security situation in Kalma camp. The Wali asked for a combined effort by UNAMID and the State Government to disarm people in the camp and called for a joint committee to be formed in this regard. Dr. Kasha also asked UNAMID to help deliver the bodies of those killed this weekend to their families, as the authorities could not enter the settlement.

The Wali also took the opportunity of this high-level UNAMID visit to raise a number of issues such as a request for assistance from the Mission in infrastructure projects, notably road construction.

Mr. Yonis thanked the Wali for his Government’s support to UNAMID and pledged the Mission’s collaboration in resolving the Kalma issue, with the cooperation of local authorities and the camp’s IDP leaders (sheikhs). “UNAMID is here to help and to support the Government of the Sudan and the people of Darfur in achieving sustainable peace in the region,” he said

The delegation then travelled to Kalma camp, on the outskirts of Nyala, to meet with the camp’s sheikhs and was appraised of the most recent developments. DJSR Yonis urged the sheikhs to spare no effort to avert further violence and pave the way to reconciliation. The sheikhs in turn asked for UNAMID’s help in providing urgently needed humanitarian aid, mainly food, water and medical supplies, to the thousands of IDPs who gathered around its local Community Policing Center (CPC) over the weekend seeking security.

There are currently several thousand people with their meager possessions surrounding the CPC. Many IDPs have also left for Nyala to escape the violence.

UNAMID patrols
UNAMID military forces conducted 71 patrols including routine, short-range, long-range, night and humanitarian escort patrols covering 56 villages and IDP camps.

UNAMID police advisors conducted 80 patrols in villages and IDP camps.

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Sudan: Security Incidents Force MSF to Suspend Activities in Gumuruk
Programs in Other Parts of the Country Remain Open

From MSF - JULY 30, 2010:

Following three separate security incidents in one of its remote health care clinics, international emergency medical aid organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been forced to suspend all activities in Gumuruk, Jonglei State.

MSF is calling on all armed groups, community members, and political parties in Southern Sudan to respect the neutrality of MSF medical staff, activities and facilities so that lifesaving aid can be delivered to people urgently in need.

“Attacks on our staff and clinics prevent us from providing essential medical aid,” said Rob Mulder, MSF head of mission in Southern Sudan. “These incidents are totally unacceptable as they stop us from accessing patients and put our staff at risk.”

MSF runs a primary health care center in the town of Pibor in Jonglei State, and from there runs two smaller outreach clinics in more remote areas, Lekwongole and Gumuruk, which are only accessible by plane or boat during the current rainy season.

On July 1, an armed group entered the Gumuruk clinic and stole boxes of the therapeutic ready-to-use food (RUTF) with which MSF treats severely malnourished children. Three days later, more RUTF was stolen along with medical equipment. Then, on July 27, four MSF staff members travelling by boat from Pibor to Gumuruk were violently robbed by armed men.

“Though we are fully committed to providing emergency medical aid to Gumuruk community, we have been left with no other choice than to suspend all medical activities in our outreach clinic,” added Mulder.

The Gumuruk outreach clinic provides basic medical care, including general consultations, treatment for malnutrition, ante-natal care, and vaccinations for a population of more than 30,000 people. Complex medical cases requiring hospitalization are referred to the larger MSF clinic in Pibor; serious cases in need of surgery are evacuated from there by MSF plane to hospitals in Boma, or in the capital, Juba.

“More than 160 malnourished children were receiving treatment in our Gumuruk clinic,” said Gbane Mahama, MSF medical coordinator for Southern Sudan. These children had received rations to last them for a week, but with the staff evacuated, there is no one to continue their treatment. “In addition,” Mahama adds, “there were up to 20 new cases of severely malnourished children each week. Unless access to this community improves, it is impossible to evacuate those who need hospitalization or surgery, including women with obstructed labor or children with cerebral malaria or severe anemia who need blood transfusions.”

Apart from a small Ministry of Health facility in Pibor town, MSF is the only primary health care provider in this part of Jonglei State, which is home to around 150,000 people, where villages are separated by large distances, and where roads are often impassable.

MSF has been working in Sudan since 1979 providing free-of-charge medical assistance to people suffering from the effects of poor access to health care, floods, droughts, disease outbreaks, armed conflict and nutritional emergencies. MSF runs clinics and hospitals across 10 Sudanese states, including Warrap, Jonglei, Upper Nile, Unity, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, the transitional area of Abyei, Red Sea, Al-Gedaref and North Darfur. MSF is an independent and neutral emergency medical organization that serves all people based on impartial assessments of need, regardless of race, political, tribal or religious affiliation.

Southern Sudan: MSF forced to suspend life-saving work

MSF UK (press release) (blog) - ‎Jul 30, 2010‎

Following three separate security incidents in one of its remote healthcare clinics, international emergency medical aid organisation, Médecins Sans ...

BREAKING NEWS: Malakal, Upper Nile - S. Sudan govt will not take any military actions against George Athor

GREAT NEWS just in from SRS (Sudan Radio Service) via email. Today, Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) spokesman, Paul Mayom Akech told SRS that his government will not use force against George Athor or any of his followers. High level GoSS officials are in consultation with Mr Athor in order to resolve the issue amicably and peacefully.

With special thanks to SRS for their brilliant journalism and speedy snappy balanced fact-packed reporting, here is a copy of their report in full:

Thursday, 6 May 2010 (JUBA, S. Sudan) – The Government of Southern Sudan says it will not take any military action against one of its generals who allegedly perpetrated an attack on an SPLA barracks in Upper Nile state a week ago.

Last week, General George Athor, who was contesting as an independent candidate against the Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang, allegedly orchestrated an assault on the SPLA barracks in Doliep Hills, because he refused to concede defeat in the elections.

General Athor had demanded the resignation of Jonglei state governor-elect Kuol Manyang, and asked for an amnesty for all the soldiers that joined his contingent.

After a week of silence, GOSS spokesman, Paul Mayom Akech told SRS on Thursday from Juba that the government will not use force against General Athor.

[Paul Mayom]: “The Government of Southern Sudan looks at the matter as an unfortunate incident in which lives of innocent people have been lost; be they soldiers or civilians. And the government has not made up its mind to go on an offensive against the perpetrators of this particular incident. There is no question of a military offensive against General George Athor. There are youths from the villages in the areas of Khorfulus and around Nyirol county that were frightened following the incident and they ran into the bush; and if the government is to carry out an offensive against the people you term as the followers of General George, then you are virtually operating against the civilians community. It is not an option for the Government of Southern Sudan to operate against its citizens.”

Paul Mayom added that the government is in consultation with the aggrieved general in order to resolve the issue.

[Paul Mayom]: “We are in contact with General George Athor. I am told he is speaking to the headquarters of our president. I have also been told informally that General Athor had asked that his Excellency Lual Ding, General Anthony Bol, one minister from the state government of Upper Nile and I should meet him and discuss the grievances with the intention of amicably and peacefully resolving the issue. And I understand the chiefs are already there in Malakal meeting him. George Athor is not someone new to the movement and we expect that whatever mistake has occurred, there is a room to settle it.”

Paul Mayom Akech, GOSS caretaker minister of information and broadcasting, was talking to SRS from Juba on Thursday.

Click on Athor label at the foot of this entry to view related reports.

More news from SRS:

05-May-2010

• Creation of New Sudanese Government May Court Controversy
• Al-Mahdi Condemns NCP For Spreading Propaganda In South
• UXO Kills Three in Akobo County
• Lakes Governor Elect Announces Program
• GOSS Minister Pledges Clamp Down on Dishonest Traders in Juba
• SAF Helicopter Crashes in Darfur
• Sudan Sports Latest
• Two Main Darfur Groups Refuse To Acknowledge Election Results
• China Pledges Continued Support For Sudan
• Attack in Upper Nile Leaves 11 Wounded
• Authorities Collect Rustled Cows in Unity State
• Gore Rejects Election Results in CES
• Nafie Says No to Coalition Govt
• Mbeki Hopes For End To Darfur Conflict Before 2011
• NCP Blames Internal Wrangling For Lost Governorship
• Women Disadvantaged In Elections Contest
• Machar Laments Decline in Security in Unity Since Elections Unity
• SNLP Distances Itself From South-South Forum Statement
• HRW Condemns Elections

04-May-2010

• Minister Calls For Re-Run
• JEM Accuses SAF of Jebel Moon Attack
• Four Die in Leer Bus Attack

03-May-2010

• JEM Threatens To Quit Talks
• GOSS Minister Confirms Attack Against SPLA Barracks
• NCP To Remain In South Under New Name
• Raiders Attack Maridi North
• Heavy Rains Leave Families Homeless in Juba
• False Alarm Over Anthrax Scare in Wau
• Sudan Sports Latest

South Sudan, Malakal, Upper Nile State: GoSS to dialogue with armed SPLM/A defector George Athor Deng

UPDATE on Thursday, May 06, 2010: BREAKING NEWS: Malakal, Upper Nile - S. Sudan govt will not take any military actions against George Athor - GREAT NEWS just in from SRS (Sudan Radio Service) via email: Today, Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) spokesman, Paul Mayom Akech told SRS that his government will not use force against George Athor or any of his followers. High level GoSS officials are in consultation with Mr Athor in order to resolve the issue amicably and peacefully.
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Tuesday, May 04, 2010
South Sudan, Malakal, Upper Nile State: GoSS to dialogue with armed SPLM/A defector George Athor Deng

FURTHER to last Friday's digest here at Sudan Watch regarding shocking news of a deadly attack on the SPLA's military base in Malakal, South Sudan, officials from the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) have confirmed that the base in Delab (aka Doleib) Hill in Upper Nile state, near the border of Jonglei state, in semi-independent South Sudan was attacked on Thursday (29 April)/Friday (30 April) at around 1 a.m. in the morning apparently by one of their own.

Reportedly (details are sketchy and vary from report to report) twelve SPLA soldiers were killed in that fight; five civilians were wounded and three were killed; on the attackers side, five were arrested and one was killed. Weapons were stolen: anti-aircraft weapons, three anti-tank guns and some machine-guns.

George Athor, a former SPLA army general who stood and lost as an independent candidate in last month's elections, said soldiers in the base had mutinied after receiving orders to arrest him.

Yesterday (Monday, 3 May) Mr Athor told Reuters he had taken command of a body of soldiers and demanded the removal of the man who beat him in the elections, Jonglei State's incumbent SPLM governor Kuol Manyang who kept his seat. Athor said he had no ambition to take Manyang's place but just wanted him removed:

"I need Governor Kuol to be removed from his position," Athor told Reuters on Monday.

Several news sources, including Reuters and Sudan Tribune, reported that the SPLA had accused Mr Athor of masterminding the deadly attack and of plotting further assaults in retaliation for his loss in the elections:

"We have full evidence the force was ordered by General George Athor," acting SPLA spokesman Malaak Ayuen told Reuters on Friday (30 April).

Athor denied leading Friday's attack and told Reuters on Monday he had moved to a location near the border of Jonglei and neighboring Upper Nile state with a number of soldiers. He would not say how many men he commanded and denied the accusations against him:

"I did not order any attack anywhere and I had never held any meeting with anybody to consider launching attack on military forces," Athor told Sudan Tribune last week by a satellite (Thuraya) phone in his ancestral village of Rut.

Also, according to Sudan Tribune on Saturday (May 1), Athor in his own words disclosed that a fight in his name had occurred:

"Yes people fought in my name and I did not expect it to happen," he said explaining what actually happened was that a commanding officer with the rank of Major at Doleib has received a message from Juba instructing him to send a force to my house so that all my guards and I are disarmed by force," he said.

"This officer considering my rank in the army declined to come himself with the force as per instructions but decided to send a captain who also refused immediately. The officer refused and so did the soldiers who were being selected to come with him," he continued to explain.

The refusal of the captain resulted into a quarrel between them, and all elements loyal to the two officers started to take positions based on ethnicities, he said adding they communicated their differences over him to Juba and were again told to execute the order by any means. But this could not work because they had already taken positions and started shooting themselves.

The retreated SPLA general said the fighting occurred on Thursday evening and he had not aware.

On Monday, speaking to Reuters by satellite phone, Mr Athor declined to give details of his immediate plans but warned he would respond to any provocation from the south's SPLA:

"If I am provoked I can attack anywhere ... I have enough forces that can capture Malakal (the capital of Upper Nile state), Bor (the capital of Jonglei state) or anywhere."

Athor, a member of the large Dinka tribe, said he had a number of demands which he hoped to achieve through negotiation:

"And the forces that have joined me are to be given amnesty and to return to their units without punishment," he added.

The southern army played down Mr Athor's warnings, saying he did not have a large enough force to mount large-scale attacks. Southern army spokesman Malaak Ayuen said the latest intelligence suggested Athor was on the move, heading south:

"I don't think he will attack a big town but he will try to destabilize communities ... Now SPLA forces are very much aware and they are prepared to face him."

Today (Tuesday, 3 May) Voice of America News online reported that Oyay Deng Ajak, South Sudan’s minister for regional cooperation said those responsible for the attack will be brought to book and even banned from the SPLA:

“On Friday, there was an attack on a place called Doleib Hill, 12 miles south of Malakal, and the attack was on the SPLA military base. Honestly, we do not know why they attacked that location. The information we are getting is that they are supporters of one SPLA officer, George Athor, who contested for the position of the governor of Jonglei State, and, of course, he could not make it,” he said.

Ajak said no election defeat should justify the killing of innocent people.

“I think there were three people who contested for the governor of Jonglei State, and of course if we are to go by the elections, Kuol Manyang (incumbent Jonglei governor) won the election and the rest should abide by the decision of the electoral commission. I really don’t think that somebody will pick up arms and fight because he didn’t win an election,” Ajak said.

Ajak rejected any suggestion that the dispute with Athor signals a split in the ranks of the SPLM, south Sudan’s dominant party.

“I think the SPLM is very much united and very strong and solid, and we are, of course, celebrating the victory that has been won by the SPLM. We hope we will take the people of south Sudan to the end of the interim period, which is 6 or 7 months left for the referendum,” Ajak said.

He said Athor is welcome to come before south Sudan authorities to defend himself against the allegations he carried out the attack on the military base.

Minister of Interior, Gair Shwan underscored the keenness of GoSS to reach a peaceful reconciliation in the area. He told reporters that his government was endeavoring to calm the situation. See report here below from Sudan Vision Daily entitled "Kiir Dissolves Parliament, GoSS to Dialogue with SPLM Defector".

Sources: reports below.

Another veteran senior army officer joins Independent candidate Gen. Athor
From Sudan Tribune - Monday, 3 May 2010:

May 3, 2010 (JUBA) – A veteran senior officer in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) is reported to have joined the former army deputy chief of staff who has carried out deadly attack against the SPLA forces.

Brig. General John Jok Gai has reportedly joined Gen. George Athor Deng, who turned violent after losing the Jonglei state’s gubernatorial race to the incumbent governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk.

Brig. Gen. John Jok was a popular army officer during the formation of the SPLM/A in 1983 in Itang, Ethiopia, and was the officer in charge of the police stations in the residential area which accommodated most of the SPLM/A senior officers in 1980s.

He is the first Brig. General to be named after the Government of Southern Sudan’s statements suspecting about seven Brig. Generals who have sided with Gen. George Athor.

Other generals are suspected to be mostly from Gen. Athor’s home area and have a coordination in many areas in Jonglei state. Brig. Gen. John Jok was recently deployed in Wau, Western Bahr el-Ghazal as deputy in charge of the police force in the state.

He was also the former Commissioner of Nyirol County of Jonglei state and was removed by a presidential decree two years ago. His family members told Sudan Tribune that they have confirmed that he is no where to be known. He has since two weeks ago cut off his phone lines.

Wild spread rumors in Bor town talk of Gen. George Athor warning the town residents to leave the town until May 8 dateline, or face the consequences of his imminent attacks.

He is also reported to have recruited former SPLA unconfirmed officers and foot soldiers on his side and already promoted some of them.

Gen. Athor possesses a number of pick up trucks and ammunition depots, according to security sources, who said the number of his forces could have now reached about nearly a thousand.

His exact location is not known as of now since his withdrawal from his home town, Khorfulus. Military analysts say his recent denial on phones about his innocent on the Doleib attacks was just a maneuvering tactic. (ST)

Defeated Sudan candidate says armed, makes demands
From Reuters by Skye Wheeler in JUBA, Sudan (Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Monday, 3 May 2010; 2:23pm EDT:

A renegade army general in South Sudan said on Monday he had taken command of a body of soldiers and demanded the removal of the man who beat him in recent elections.

South Sudan's army accused George Athor of masterminding an attack on one of its bases on Friday and plotting further assaults after he lost in the race to become governor of the oil-producing south's Jonglei state last week.

The confirmation that Athor set up his own military force days after the contested vote will stoke tensions in the region already hit by tribal violence and decades of civil war.

Athor denied leading Friday's attack, but told Reuters on Monday he had moved to a location near the border of Jonglei and neighboring Upper Nile state with a number of soldiers. He would not say how many men he commanded.

Speaking by satellite phone, Athor declined to give details of his immediate plans but warned he would respond to any provocation from the south's Sudan People's Liberation Army.

"If I am provoked I can attack anywhere ... I have enough forces that can capture Malakal (the capital of Upper Nile state), Bor (the capital of Jonglei state) or anywhere."

DEMANDS

Sudan last week wrapped up elections that were seen as a test of democracy in Africa's largest country, particularly in its south which is preparing for a referendum in January 2011 on whether to declare independence from the north.

Athor and other independent candidates accused the south's dominant party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), of harassing their supporters and rigging the vote.

Athor, a member of the large Dinka tribe, said he had a number of demands which he hoped to achieve through negotiation.

"I need Governor Kuol to be removed from his position," said Athor, referring to Jonglei's incumbent SPLM governor Kuol Manyang who kept his seat in the elections. Athor said he had no ambition to take Manyang's place but just wanted him removed.

"And the forces that have joined me are to be given amnesty and to return to their units without punishment," he added.

The southern army played down Athor's warnings, saying he did not have a large enough force to mount large-scale attacks.

Southern army spokesman Malaak Ayuen said the latest intelligence suggested Athor was on the move, heading south.

"I don't think he will attack a big town but he will try to destabilize communities ... Now SPLA forces are very much aware and they are prepared to face him."

An international source in Juba, who asked not to be named, said Friday's attack was a worrying development. "The fact that arms were reportedly stolen is worrisome for the future security of the area. Clearly there is a danger."

The southern army said at least eight people died in the attack on its base in Doleib Hill, near the border of Jonglei and Upper Nile on Friday. Athor said soldiers in the base had mutinied after receiving orders to arrest him.

South Sudan Official Denies Split in SPLM Ranks Following Attack on Military Base -
Minister for regional cooperation Oyay Deng Ajak says those responsible for the attack will be brought to book and if possible banned from the SPLA
From Voice of America (VOA) News - Tuesday, 4 May 2010
By James Butty (Washington, D.C.):

Authorities in South Sudan have confirmed that one of their military bases was attacked last Friday apparently by one of their own.

The South Sudan People’s Liberation Army accused one of its officers -- George Athor or his supporters -- of masterminding the attack after he lost the race to become governor of the oil-producing Jonglei state in Sudan’s recent elections.

Oyay Deng Ajak, south Sudan’s minister for regional cooperation said those responsible for the attack will be brought to book and even banned from the SPLA.

“On Friday, there was an attack on a place called Doleib Hill, 12 miles south of Malakal, and the attack was on the SPLA military base. Honestly, we do not know why they attacked that location. The information we are getting is that they are supporters of one SPLA officer, George Athor, who contested for the position of the governor of Jonglei State, and, of course, he could not make it,” he said.

Athor, who denied he carried out the attack, told Reuters news agency the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) harassed his supporters and rigged the elections.

Ajak said no election defeat should justify the killing of innocent people.

“I think there were three people who contested for the governor of Jonglei State, and of course if we are to go by the elections, Kuol Manyang (incumbent Jonglei governor) won the election and the rest should abide by the decision of the electoral commission. I really don’t think that somebody will pick up arms and fight because he didn’t win an election,” Ajak said.

He said Athor’s reported demand for Jonglei state incumbent governor Kuol Manyang to step down is a waste of time.

“To be very honest with you, as a minister for regional cooperation, I really think that those who are responsible for the attack at Doleib Hill the SPLA should keep them banned and of course we will bring them to book. As for the governor to step down, I think this is too far. The governor has been elected and the results had been announced, and if he (Athor) has any case against the governor he must go to the courts,” he said.

Ajak rejected any suggestion that the dispute with Athor signals a split in the ranks of the SPLM, south Sudan’s dominant party.

“I think the SPLM is very much united and very strong and solid, and we are, of course, celebrating the victory that has been won by the SPLM. We hope we will take the people of south Sudan to the end of the interim period, which is 6 or 7 months left for the referendum,” Ajak said.

He said Athor is welcome to come before south Sudan authorities to defend himself against the allegations he carried out the attack on the military base.

SPLA general demands sacking of Jonglei governor
From Sudan Tribune - Tuesday, 4 May 2010:

3 May 2010 (KHARTOUM) - General George Athor at the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) announced today that he had pulled together a group of soldiers under his leadership and demanded that the governor of Jonglei who won the recent elections be removed.

"I need Governor Kuol to be removed from his position," Athor told Reuters, referring to Jonglei’s incumbent SPLM governor Kuol Manyang who kept his seat in the elections. He said that he had no ambition to take Manyang’s place but just wanted him removed.

Athor ran against Manyang in the south’s oil-producing Jonglei state but lost by a wide margin. Kuol Manyang (SPLM) obtained 165,387 of valid votes (66.2%). George Athor Deng (Independent) comes second with 67,639 votes (27.1%).

Athor and other independent candidates accused the south’s dominant party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), of harassing their supporters and rigging the vote.

The 11-15 April elections were the first in 24 years - and the first since the end of a two-decade conflict between north and south.

The SPLA had accused Athor of masterminding an attack on one of its bases last Friday and plotting further assaults in retaliation to his loss in the elections. However, the senior military officer denied claims leveled against him.

"I did not order any attack anywhere and I had never held any meeting with anybody to consider launching attack on military forces," General Athor told Sudan Tribune last week from his ancestral village of Rut.

Jonglei, south Sudan’s vast-populous state, suffered tribal conflicts in 2009 with death toll reaching 2,000. The electoral campaigns and polls were peaceful but tension rose after the announcement of results that were won by the southern Sudan ruling party; the SPLM.

Today Athor declined to give Reuters details of his immediate plans but warned he would respond to any provocation from the SPLA.

"If I am provoked I can attack anywhere ... I have enough forces that can capture Malakal (the capital of Upper Nile state), Bor (the capital of Jonglei state) or anywhere."

Athor, a member of the large Dinka tribe, said he had a number of demands which he hoped to achieve through negotiation.

"And the forces that have joined me are to be given amnesty and to return to their units without punishment," he added.

The southern army played down Athor’s warnings, saying he did not have a large enough force to mount large-scale attacks.

Southern army spokesman Malaak Ayuen said the latest intelligence suggested Athor was on the move, heading south.

"I don’t think he will attack a big town but he will try to destabilize communities ... Now SPLA forces are very much aware and they are prepared to face him.

Kiir Dissolves Parliament, GoSS to Dialogue with SPLM Defector
From Sudan Vision Daily - Monday, 3 May 2010 by Staff Writer:

FVP, President of the Government of South Sudan (GoSS), Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit decreed last Sunday, dissolution of South Sudan Central as well as state-level parliaments.

GoSS Minister of Information Paul Miyom Akeij, reported that the resolution had come on the heels of the recent election of MPs for the central and the 10 state-level parliaments.

Meanwhile, GoSS Security Council resolved conduction of dialogue with the Lt. Gen George Athor whose militias assaulted some military sites in Jonglei State last Friday dawn.

Minister of Interior, Gair Shwan underscored the keenness of South Sudan government to reach a peaceful reconciliation in the area. He told reporters that his government was endeavoring to calm the situations in the region far from any military escalation in order to save lives and property. He expressed hope that all parties would positively respond to dialogue describing the situation in Jonglei as under control.

SPLA did accuse some militants of attacking the base of Doleep Hill, near Malakal, killing 12 and injuring 20 people. He said the militants were operating in favor of a particular elections-loser candidate.

SPLA Spokesperson, Col. Malak Aiwein, accused supporters of SPLM-DC Chairman, Lam Akol of backing up the aggression effected by the followers of the Independent candidate, George Athor who was contesting the seat of the Upper Nile State Governor.

From SRS (Sudan Radio Service) - Monday, 3 May 2010:

May 3, 2010 (JUBA) – The caretaker Goss Minister for Internal Affairs, Gier Chuang, has confirmed the attack launched against an SPLA barracks by mutinous troops at the Delab Hill barracks on Thursday.

The attackers are believed to be under the command of former SPLA general, George Athor who stood for election and lost the Jonglei gubernatorial seat to Kuol Manyang.

Addressing reporters in Juba on Saturday, Gier Chuang said 12 soldiers were killed during the attack.

[Gier Chuang]: “On 29th, at around 1 a.m. in the morning a group from the barracks around the headquarters came and attacked the SPLA headquarters, Delab Hill barracks. They exchanged fire with the soldiers who were in the headquarters. Twelve SPLA soldiers were killed in that fight and among them five officers: three captains, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant and seven soldiers. Five civilians were wounded and three were killed. On the attackers’ side, five were arrested and one was killed. On the 30th, it was confirmed that they came from the barracks of Lieutenant-general George Athor Deng in Korfulus, and it was confirmed yesterday that they sneaked into the stores and took anti-aircraft weapons and three anti-tank guns and some machine-guns and they went back to Korfulus to join George Athor.”

Chuang went on to explain the possible reasons for the attack.

[Gier Chuang]: “Yesterday, Athor told the BBC in a statement that he took that action because had contested the elections and won the governorship of Jonglei state but the election was rigged and that’s how he lost. That is what he claims.Therefore we in the government and in SPLM want to say that there was no rigging, because the difference between him and Kuol Deim is very big. It is not close to rigging nor is it close to anything. The reason is simple - there are people who do not believe the truth - they want things to be done their way.”

Gier Chuang was speaking to reporters in Juba on Saturday.

Jonglei governor-elect calls for calm as opponent hides
From Sudan Tribune - Sunday, 2 May 2010: [*Note from Sudan Watch Editor: A reader's comment posted at Sudan Tribune in reply to the following article says the spelling of the NCP candidate's last name is Jakok, not Jakor]:

May 1, 2010 (BOR) – Kuol Manyang Juuk, the caretaker governor of Jonglei State who won April polls, today called for calm as defeated independent gubernatorial candidate George Athor Deng, accused of attacking a military base in neighboring Upper Nile State on Friday, spend a second day out of sight.

PHOTO: This photo shows SPLM’s Kuol Manyang Juuk campaigning in Pam, Fangak HQs on March 11, 2010 flanked by South Sudan internal Minister Gier Chuang (L) and Sudan State minister fof Water and irrigation James Kok Ruea (R). Both Ministers are candidates in April elections (ST)

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr. Kuol says the situation is under control and security measures have been taken to avert extension of atrocities to Jonglei territory.

"I ask the people of Jonglei to remain calm and avoid listening to rumors over phones," said Kuol Manyang Juuk, the Jonglei governor-elect. He also refutes claim that the Doleipin Hill attack, by civilians loyal to Mr. Athor in Upper Nile State, is affiliated to April polls.

Doleipin Hill, a military barrack for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) was attacked early on Friday by armed gunmen. Seven people died and 25 others wounded including SPLA soldiers and civilians.

Five attackers are captured and allegedly confessed that their actions were coordinated by defeated independent candidate for Jonglei governorship, George Athor Deng. Mr. Athor is reportedly discontented with election outcome that declared Kuol Manyang as the winner with vote difference of nearly 100,000.

Jonglei, south Sudan’s vast-populous state, suffered tribal conflicts in 2009 with death toll reaching 2,000. The electoral campaigns and polls were peaceful but tension rose after the announcement of results that were won by the southern Sudan ruling party; the SPLM.

Kuol Manyang (SPLM) obtained 165,387 of valid votes (66.2%). George Athor Deng (Independent) comes second with 67,639 votes (27.1%) as Joseph Duer Jakor* (NCP) trails with 16,704 votes (6.7%).

The NCP gubernatorial contender in Jonglei State Joseph Duer Jakor* phoned and congratulated SPLM’s victory, Mr. Kuol revealed today saying "I should have done the same [congratulate a winner] if I lost".

Asked to comment on the hypothesized voting rigging to secure victory in last month’s election, Mr. Kuol said: "The National Election Commission (NEC) is not under my command and if Athor has complaint he should open his case against NEC".

Athor could not be reached for reaction but he told the BBC on Friday that he never took part in the attack and blamed SPLA internal dispute on his alleged arrest.

GOOD MAN ERASING GOOD HISTORY

Looking back at records, the main rival in the race to Jonglei governorship, Kuol Manyang described Athor Deng as a "good man" who contributed tremendously during the war of liberation.

Speaking in a combative mood, Kuol says he is "sad" that George Athor is "erasing a history of good contribution" particularly when he resisted and 1991 Nassir defectors had been in his hometown of Khorfulus. For Goerge Athor great work, Kuol recalls, forces opposing SPLA/M’s course to liberation of the Sudan’s marginalized people were defeated.

Calling on George Athor to reconsider the objectives of SPLA/M since its inception in 1983 of peace, freedom and prosperity, Kuol says it is vital to halt oppressive assaults on civilians and allow peace a chance "so that we prepare our people for referendum".

Since the Friday attack in Upper Nile territory, Mr. George Athor’s whereabouts is unknown.

The fear among the public is how swiftly the Government of South Sudan will respond to the security threat mobility will be overshadowed by the rainy season that just began. Khorfulus in Pigi County, where George stays before the attack, lacks roads. (ST)

General Dau tells General Athor to leave his ancestral village for Juba
From Sudan Tribune - Monday, 3 May 2010 by Ngor Arol Garang - excerpt:

May 2, 2010 (WUNROK) - The former Independent candidate Major General Dau Aturjong Nyuol, whose elections results in the southern state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, were announced against his favor, has on Sunday asked his comrade at arms, Lieutenant General George Athor Deng, to consider leaving his ancestral village of Rut for either Juba or elsewhere.

Both Athor and Dau are long known friends at arms and had also contested recently concluded polls independently after failing to secure endorsement of their candidatures by political bureau of the southern ruling party, the SPLM. All of them contested against SPLM official nominees in their respective states of Jonglei and Northern Bahr el Ghazal. [...]

Considering their personal relationship, General Dau Aturjong in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Sunday said he think that George Athor has to leave his village to stop allegations of his involvement in the attack.

"I think it is better for General Athor to leave (to Juba) so that claims about his involvement in the attack due to his presence in the area cease immediately," General Dau said. "His presence in the area is being misused. I suggest him to leave for the moment regardless of family and relatives matters he would like to attend. He should leave," said General Dau. [...]

General Athor distances himself from attack on SPLA barrack
From Sudan Tribune - Sunday, 2 May 2010 by Ngor Arol Garang:

May 1, 2010 (WUNROK) - Lieutenant General George Athor Deng, who contested gubernatorial elections independently, in the state of Jonglei, after failing to secure approval of his candidature by the SPLM political bureau in January, denied having launched any attack on the SPLA barrack and described it as internal clash within the Southern Sudan army.

On Friday 30, April 2010, rumors spreading like wild fire of attack on SPLA post at Doleib Hills area, a contested territory predominantly habitat to both Shilluk and Dinka Luac, dominated cabinet meeting in Juba and majority within the cabinet were quick to point accusing finger and blamed incident onto armed elements allegedly loyal to Lieutenant General George Athor Deng, who had, while serving in the SPLA, held position of deputy Chief of General Staff for Moral Orientation.

Colonel Malaak Ayuel Ajok, who heads SPLA department of Information and Public Relations, stated on Southern Sudan TV that a surprise attack reportedly launched on Friday at around 1:30AM was organized by General Athor.

Col. Malaak, while announcing the attack, without giving detail of the casualties, said many of the attackers were killed and five of them are captured. According to him, the arrested attackers confessed that they had been ordered by General George Athor to carry out the attack on the SPLA military base.

Other senior officials in the government of southern Sudan including minister of internal affairs, General Gier Chuang also confirmed the raid without giving details. Jonglei Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk also held a closed door meeting with SPLA senior officers in Bor town following reports of the clashes.

Captain Garang Wieu from SPLA logistics, who went to Doleib as part of the reinforcement troops, in Malakal town, told Sudan Tribune that five officers and ten soldiers have been killed in the fighting. Two or three officers killed are said be from Awan Chan, home to GOSS president Salva Kiir Mayardit.

However, General Athor, in an interview with Sudan Tribune, on Saturday, from his home village of Rut in Khorfoulus, Jonglei State, said he did not order any attack on SPLA forces.

"I did not order any attack anywhere and I had never held any meeting with anybody to consider launching attack on military forces," General Athor told Sudan Tribune by a satellite (Thuraya) phone in his ancestral village of Rut.

The General who had thrice failed to pick up telephone calls said he was sleeping hence could not response to the first calls. "I was sleeping and this telephone was also outside in the sitting room. It was brought to me just now because it was receiving a lot when I was sleeping. My wife said she received a lot of calls from strange numbers," he explained adding his communications with people are being misinterpreted.

Athor in his own words however disclosed that a fight in his name has occurred.

"Yes people fought in my name and I did not expect it to happen," he said explaining what actually happened was that a commanding officer with the rank of Major at Doleib has received a message from Juba instructing him to send a force to my house so that all my guards and I are disarmed by force," he said.

"This officer considering my rank in the army declined to come himself with the force as per instructions but decided to send a captain who also refused immediately. The officer refused and so did the soldiers who were being selected to come with him," he continued to explain.

The refusal of the captain resulted into a quarrel between them, and all elements loyal to the two officers started to take positions based on ethnicities, he said adding they communicated their differences over him to Juba and were again told to execute the order by any means. But this could not work because they had already taken positions and started shooting themselves.

The retreated SPLA general said the fighting occurred on Thursday evening and he had not aware.

"I only came to know after they had clashed and killed themselves on Friday morning because of the sound of guns and calls from everywhere inquiring my involvement in the attack," he said.

He said that a message allegedly originated from the SPLA general headquarters in Juba with no signature of a specific person as the majority of the troops wanted to know why they were being asked to go and disarm me with the guards.

Asked whether he contacted anybody in Juba, Athor said he received calls while in process to contact those in the authorities.

"I started receiving calls of those I had wanted to contact hence I might not make any call again, he said.

In statements made today in Jonglei, the governor Kuol Manyang said he was uncertain about the implication of his challenger General Athor in Friday fighting, dismissing reports linking Doleib clashes with the results of April elections.

National elections results gave incumbent Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk 165,387 votes and George Athor Deng who contested as independent candidate with 67,639 votes while Joseph Duer Jakor from the National Congress Party became the last with 16,704 votes. (ST)

South Sudan army accuses poll candidate of attack
From Reuters (via Yahoo News) - Friday, 30 April 2010; 12:09 pm ET
By Skye Wheeler (Writing by Andrew Heavens; Editing by Maria Golovnina) - excerpt:

JUBA, Sudan (Reuters) – South Sudan's army accused a defeated election candidate of ordering an attack on one of its bases that killed at least eight soldiers Friday, stoking tensions days after the contested poll.

George Athor, defeated in the race to become governor of the south's oil-producing Jonglei state, denied ordering any attack, telling Reuters soldiers in the base had mutinied after receiving orders to arrest him.

Any confirmed involvement in the attack by Athor, who is also a senior officer in the south's army, would be a serious escalation in violence in the region, already hit by drought and clashes between heavily armed tribal groups.

Sudan this week wrapped up elections that were seen as a test of democracy in Africa's largest country, particularly in its south which is preparing for a referendum in January 2011 on whether to declare independence from the north.

Athor and other independent candidates accused the south's dominant party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), of harassing their supporters and rigging the vote.

The south's Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) said that armed men attacked the southern army base in Jonglei's Doleib Hill area, close to state capital Malakal, early Friday.

"We have full evidence the force was ordered by General George Athor," acting SPLA spokesman Malaak Ayuen told Reuters.

"He contested as a governor in Jonglei but lost," Ayuen said, adding that the intention behind the attack was unclear. "It was very surprising ... (We think) he became angry and is trying to create insecurity."

Ayuen said the army had captured five of the attackers who said they were working under Athor's orders.

Athor decided to run as an independent after failing to get the SPLM nomination. Speaking by satellite telephone from Jonglei, he denied having any forces in the area.

"They wanted to send a force to capture me but they refused to do this and now they were trying to arrest those officers who refused to go and attack me and so there was a mutiny," he said.

Athor said he did not know why they would want to arrest him. "You should ask Salva Kiir," he said, referring to the president of the semi-autonomous south. [...]

From SRS (Sudan Radio Service) via email Monday, 3 May 2010:

April 30, 2010 (PAYINJIAR) - About eleven people have been injured after unknown assailants attacked Doleb Hills in Upper Nile state on Thursday night.

Speaking to SRS on Friday, the Director of Malakal Teaching Hospital, Dr. Tut Gony, said his staff is currently treating the wounded.

[Tut Gony]: “We heard from people that this happened last night, Some said they have been hearing the gunshots throughout the night up to this morning and when I reported to work a wounded woman and her daughter, who was about one year old, were brought to the hospital. We thought that these would be the only wounded so we were not expecting more. But after an hour and half, another group was brought in. Six people were brought in. A woman, a man and four soldiers were wounded badly.”

Dr. Tut Gony was speaking to SRS on Friday in Malakal.

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Copy of two comments at Sudan Tribune article 3 May 2010 entitled "Another veteran senior army officer joins Independent candidate Gen. Athor"

Comment posted on 3 May 2010 by ALCON, SPLA:

"This issue of George Athor has nothing to do with the elections that just took place. George Athor had issues with Kiir regarding Matip’s position in the SPLA. When Paulino Matip forces emerged with the SPLA and Kiir made Matip as his deputy, Athor objected to that. He frankly told Kiir that if you make Matip the deputy commander of the SPLA forces, he never report to Matip nor would he respect him. He stated to Kiir that he was fighting those of Paulino Matip and Gatwech Dual all his live and now Matip would be his boss, that was not acceptable to him. He refused to come to Juba for some months back in late 2005 or early 2006 until Kiir convinced Him not to defect from the the SPLA.

In 2008, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and made as a deputy chief of staffs for moral. Then election came, he was hoping that the SPLM will accept him as its candidate for the governorship in Jonglei but that was not the case. He felt that SPLM/A is being control by former militias who he used to fight during the war.

This issue is all about a position in the government of South Sudan. Athor lost his former position as a deputy chief of staff and he lost his bet for the governorship. Kiir and Athor will settle this dispute by giving Athor a ministerial position in the next government."

Comment posted on 3 May by deng deng:

"southern peace lovers, ask your selves simple question؛ who bankrolled athor for his campaigns? He was dishing out cash during elections like no man’s business and talking crap in malakal radio. Honestly that is not athor we all know, some thing is controlling him. And soon we shall all see what is controlling him eventually".

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Gen. George Athor Deng needs political accommodation
Commentary from The New Sudan Vision (NSV) by James Monyluak Majok (a concerned citizen living in Windsor, Canada) - Tuesday 4 May 2010 - excerpt:

"[...]
Based on this perspective, I am hereby recommending the following:

1) That SPLA under Kiir leadership needs to plan how to incorporate Maj. Gen. George Athor with his followers back into SPLA army without delay and hesitation;

2) That a civilian committee from Jonglei and Upper Nile states be formed to intervene and assure his followers who are civilians to work with the new elected governments in both states to maintain peace and tranquility;

3) That speedy plans are put in place and need not to wait as we always wait to see what will happen and act when it is too late to act;

4) That the defeated candidates, who happened to be independent, be considered and accommodated politically, otherwise the South will not reach the long-awaited referendum period. In other words, they will be creating problems here and there to achieve their political agenda."