05 January 2008 (Miraya FM)
Tens of people have been reported killed in renewed fighting between the Misseriya and the SPLA forces in Warguet in Northern Bhar El Ghazal state.
Governor of Northern Bhar El Ghazal Colonel Madut Biar said in an interview with Miraya FM that the visit of the delegation of the Government of National Unity to the area has not brought any solution to the ongoing conflict between Messiriya tribe and SPLA forces,
He said he believe that the Messiriya is supported by Popular Defense Forces and Sudan Army Forces. In his part, the manager Sudan Armed Forces spokesperson’s office, Lt Colonel Al Sawarmi Khalid Saad, denied in a statement to Miraya FM
“Clashes renewal is out of question. Our sources have not reported new clashes. On the other hand, the Sudan Armed Forces and the Public Defense Forces are in charge of protecting the area not Al-Miseiriya. Moreover, the Armed Forces do not support any tribal conflict.
In addition, Al-Grinti and Al-Mayrum areas, where the conflicts are, are north of the 1956 borders. The SPLA has no right to be in those areas in the first place. If they withdrew from there and left those areas to whom they belong, these disagreements would not have occurred. Clashes renewal is out of question.”
Also, the government has insisted that it is keen to contain the crisis between the two parties in the region. The minister of Defense, Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussein said ."Now, a new spirit is showing, I believe, to overcome the problems that might occur due to the practical application on ground."
Meanwhile, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Pagan Amoum, said “The forces that were in Al-Dibab area are being deployed to south of the borderline between the north and the south since 1-1-1956. At the same time, we have directed the governments of Southern Kurdufan and Unity states to prevent any further deterioration of security in the state.”