South Sudan on Monday accused its former foes in the Khartoum government of arming gunmen who killed over 40 people in a cattle raid, as the UN warned tensions between the two sides risk regional peace. “A militia group from Unity state penetrated into Warrap state… and attacked people in a cattle camp, killing over 40,” said Interior Minister Alison Manani Magaya, the latest wave of violence in the world’s newest nation. “This militia group was armed by the government of Khartoum,” he added. But Sudan’s army spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad denied the allegations, saying: “We don’t have any connection with this. We never support any armed opposition in South Sudan or any place.”
South Sudan seceded peacefully from Sudan in July after decades of war, but both countries have since repeatedly exchanged allegations that each side backs proxy rebel forces against the other. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Sunday that tensions and a furious row over oil between the former enemies has become a major threat to regional peace and security. “The situation in Sudan and South Sudan has reached a critical point. It has become a major threat to peace and security across the region,” Ban told an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital.
Key issues unresolved at independence have escalated into bitter arguments, including a row over pipeline transit fees to transport the landlocked South’s oil to port in the rump state of Sudan. Meanwhile, Chinese media reported that Sudanese rebels were still holding 29 Chinese workers in Sudan. Xinhua, citing Beijing’s embassy in Khartoum, said that while 29 remained captive, 17 Chinese were moved to safety by the Sudanese army when rebels attacked the workers’ camp on Saturday.
Insurgents from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in South Kordofan state told AFP on Sunday that they had captured 29 Chinese, who were unharmed and “in safe hands”. “They are held hostage by SPLM,” said the Sudanese army spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad.He said soldiers were searching for the captives, “and SPLM are responsible for their safety”.
