Khartoum Accused of Supporting South Sudan Rebels

South Sudan Jonglei State Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk has accused the NCP government in Khartoum of supporting rebels fighting the new SPLA administration. Fighting continues despite independence in July., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

South Sudan has "evidence" that Khartoum is supporting Athor’s rebellion - governor

December 14, 2011 (BOR) – Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk has said that military equipment captured from rebel forces after a recent attack in Pigi county has “very valuable information” showing Khartoum’s support for South Sudan’s rebellions.

Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk (ST)Governor Manyang, who visited villages in Pigi county on Tuesday, described the attack as a “senseless intensive destruction” that left villages reduced to ashes and 11,000 people displaced.

He blames renegade SPLA general George Athor Deng for the attack.

Athor lost his bid to become Jonglei governor to Kuol Manyang during the April 2010 polls but refused to recognise the results claiming electoral fraud.

On Sunday, several districts were attacked in Pigi county leaving an unknown number dead and injured. Governor Kuol said the level of attack inflicted heavy losses on the villages but did not provide figures.

“All the huts were burnt down. The destruction [was] intensive,” governor Kuol told the reporters in Bor on Wednesday.

“The people displaced by this senseless fighting and attack are more than 11,000,” he said without giving more details.

The governor claims that Athor’s forces were behind the attack.

“The intention was to get cattle because they are in the forest where there is no food and they depend on cattle that they graft from the people,” he said.

When to give evidence showing that Athor’s men were involved, the governor claimed that “a senior officer [to George Athor] was killed and had a telephone with very valuable information.”

According to governor Kuol, the data contain in the telephone show continued ties between Athor’s forces and the government of Sudan.

“They [Athor’s forces] are receiving supplies from or through Khartoum,” Kuol said.

In 2010, the South Sudan army captured a north Sudanese helicopter allegedly supplying materials to Athor’s forces. The helicopter was released this year.

South Sudan split from Sudan in July following a referendum promised in the 2005 peace accord that ended decades of north—south war. Since South Sudan’s independence the two countries have continued to trade accusations of supporting armed rebellion in both countries. Each side denies involvement.

Fangak county faces humanitarian crisis: officials

Jonglei state authorities say people displaced from Pigi county due to Athor’s rebellion and returnees from Sudan in Fangak county are in need of “urgent humanitarian” help.

Fangak county commissioner James Maluit said the situation was getting “worse” as South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) officials warn of “unpleasant” conditions in the area.

“It is a very bad situation. People are feeding on wild food,” said Fangak commissioner Maluit.

The northern county of Jonglei state is a home to more than 11,000 South Sudanese who have recently returned form north Sudan due the the south’s secession in July.

As well as the returnees, 10,000 people have been displaced by fighting between Athor and South Sudan’s army (SPLA), according to SSRRC figures.

The situation has been made worse by heavy rains, which have caused floods and deaths to cattle, according to Bol Diu Gok, the SSRRC officer in Fangak county.

“We [SSRRC] warn that if it reach[es] up to January next year, people will receive quite a different report. That will be unpleasant report because many people will die,” said Bol in a statement to reporters in Bor on Tuesday.

Fangak witnessed deadly attacks from George Athor forces in February leading to the death of over 200 people. The fighting, which is highest in neighbouring Pigi – Athor’s home county - has led to displacement of thousands of people.

Athor has so far refused an offer of amnesty from South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir, and peace talks have yet to resolve the conflict.

The insurgency coupled with the heavy rains that destroyed farms, the local population is vulnerable, according to local leaders.

(ST)