SPLM denies responsibiity for clashes with Misseriya

3 March 2008 (Miraya FM)

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) denied responsibility for the recent clashes between the Misseriya tribe and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in Tebrib area in south Al-Mayrum. More than ninety casualties were reported in these clashes. 

The Minister of Presidential Affairs in the government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Luka Biong, who is also a senior SPLM leader, told Miraya FM that, as far as his movement knows, the attacks were carried out by the Popular Defense Forces supported by the Sudan Armed Forces. 

Dr. Biong called for a committee to investigate the incident. He further denied accusation leveled by the Misseriya against the First Vice President and the chairman of the SPLM, Salva Kiir Mayardit, that he is responsible for the incident. 

The head of the Misseriya’s Shura Council, Harika Ezzadine, had earlier held Salva Kiir Mayardit responsible for what happened as he is a top official in the government of national unity and the chairman of the SPLM. He called on Salva Kiir to order the SPLA to redeploy to the south of the borders agreed upon. 

The Deputy Chief of the Misseriya tribe, Rahma Abdul-Rahman Al-Nur, meanwhile, said that the Messeyria and the Dinka Ngok are still working to contain the crisis. 

SPLA Chief of Staff, General Hoth Maye, said that sixty nine of Al-Misseriya tribesmen and nine of the SPLA soldiers were killed in the clashes near Abyie. He said that the injured are one hundred and twenty. Mr. Maye told France Press that Al-Misseriya wants to push the SPLA forty kilometers to the south. Misseriya leaders said that fifty two out of the eighty three injured during the clashes were sent to Khartoum for treatment.  

Miraya FM’s Babikir Abdellah has meanwhile reported that the citizens of Abyei expressed concerns over their living and health conditions.  

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