SPLA to militia: integrate or surrender in Unity state (27.03.2011 00:00)

The Sudan People\'s Liberation Army (SPLA) has called on the forces of Sudanese General Bapiny Monytuel Wijang, a Nuer militia commander still in Khartoum, to lay down their weapons or integrate into the SPLA.  

The military wing of the ruling Sudan People\'s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the rebel Nuer militia have reached a tense standoff after three days of fighting in the Riak area of Mayom County in Southern Sudan that left dozens dead on both sides.

The SPLA says it killed 85 militiamen, but has not revealed the number of its own casualties. It is reported to be high, with many wounded SPLA soldiers in state hospitals.

SPLA Division 4 Commander James Gatduel Gatluak has warned the Nuer militia against any unauthorised movement within the Unity State. He urged militia members to turn themselves in at an SPLA barracks or to other local authorities.

Citing SPLA policy, the commander welcomed any militia members who favour peaceful negotiation or non-violent surrender. \"That is what the people of South Sudan are looking for,\" he said. His advice to those who \"want to cause problems\" is to stay in the north of the country.

The Nuer militia is led on the ground by Colonel Matthew Puol Jang, who defected from the SPLA last year over anger at the alleged rigging of the Unity State gubernatorial race in April 2010. In that election, Governor Taban Deng Gai retained control of the state government despite strong support for challenger Angelina Teny, the wife of South Sudan’s vice president, Riek Machar. Ms. Teny claimed the elections were a fraud.

Brigadier General Bapiny Monytuel Wijang chose to join the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) rather than the SPLA following the 2005 peace agreement. After the independence referendum in January, his forces, numbering as many as 3,000 soldiers, arrived in Unity State to reintegrate into the SPLA.

Whatever triggered the deadly clashes earlier this month has not been established. Each side has claimed the other attacked first. SPLA commander Gatluak said militia members who surrender peacefully would not be harmed, but those who do not will be \"crushed\".

The fighting in Unity State bears resemblance to the violence plaguing Jonglei and Upper Nile States. Hopes for peace after overwhelming support for South Sudan\'s independence appear to be crumbling, with the state named for unity bearing a bitter irony.