SPLA clashes with militias in Unity State

According to Major General Kaong Chuol Reng, yesterday's fighting in Southern Sudan's oil-rich Unity State claimed the lives of more than 30 people and seriously injured 28. The SPLA clashed with militias who were formerly part of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and were supposed to be integrated into the SPLA, Kaong Chuol explained.

Philip Aguer Panyang

According to Reuters, the SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer Panyang said the SPLA received complaints that the militias started to illegally tax the civilians in the area. The SPLA was attacked whilst investigating the taxation complaints and responded by attacking the militias' base, Aguer explained.

The heavy fighting in Mayom took place four days after similar clashes were reported from Malakal, Upper Nile State's capital, raising fears of violence escalation in Southern Sudan. The clashes in several flash-points add to the instability along Sudan's South-North border, after the South has overwhelmingly voted for independence in a referendum on secession from the North of Sudan, which was part of the 2005 peace deal, ending decades of civil war in the country.

Read Simon Boboya's story on last week's fighting: Instability rising with new clashes in Malakal

Kaong Chuol affirmed this morning by phone that the SPLA has captured 45 militias. Their commanders, Brigadier General Bapiny Monytuel Wijang and Colonel James Gai Yoach were disagreeing with the SPLA on the terms and conditions of the integration.

The forces of Wijang and Yoach were assembled in Riak Payam, in the south of Mayom County where they arrived about a month ago from Khartoum. Equipped with heavy weaponry, they claimed their intention was to join the SPLA ahead of the South's independence in July 2011 in order to be integrated into SPLA forces, prison services and police services.

The road from Bentiu to Mayom - picture courtesy of Nonviolent Peaceforce

Col. Mathew Puol Jang Top, the militia’s highest ranking officer in Riak Payam, refused the integration of his forces into the SPLA, arguing that his high ranking commanders were not present, especially Brigadier General Bapiny Monytuel and Gai Yoach.

Puol Jang, who formerly served in the SPLA, took arms against the ruling party, the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM), after the April 2010 general elections, when the official candidate Taban Deng Gai took over as the Governor of Unity State against the independent candidate Angelina Jany Teny.

In a phone interview on Thursday Charles Machieng Kuol, the Commissioner of Mayom County, said that the forces which are loyal to Col. Puol Jang in Riak have disregarded the decision made earlier by SPLA officials, to negotiate the integration of the over 1,500 soldiers into the SPLA.

For background information about Gatluak Gai check the profile by the Small Arms Survey

Last month, Governor Taban Deng Gai told the media in Bentiu town that his state government's first priority is to integrate the Southerners from SAF and the forces of renegade Gatluak Gai into the SPLA.

The Governor as well stressed that a peaceful dialogue must be instigated with all armed groups, with special mention of the SAF soldiers, the forces of James Gai Yoach, Bapiny Monytuel Wijang and Gatluak Gai, in order for peace to be achieved in Unity State, before the nation is declared independent in July.