SPLA, LRA rebels clash in Nimule
Jun 16, 2008
THE South Sudanese army (SPLA) clashed with a group of LRA fighters at Nimule, on the border with Uganda, on Sunday, according to UN sources. The SPLA reportedly killed three members of the LRA and captured one.
By Vision Reporter
THE South Sudanese army (SPLA) clashed with a group of LRA fighters at Nimule, on the border with Uganda, on Sunday, according to UN sources. The SPLA reportedly killed three members of the LRA and captured one.
The Ugandan army could not confirm the clash.
UPDF spokesperson Capt. Chris Magezi, however, confirmed the presence of an LRA group in Pageri, 40km north of the Ugandan border, over the weekend.
“On Saturday night, around 30 LRA fighters attacked the village of Pageri. They looted food and abducted two people, a man and a woman. The woman was later released,†Magezi said yesterday.
According to army intelligence, the group crossed the River Nile again on Sunday night.
“They moved in the direction of Kajo Keji, heading back towards Garamba National Park (in the eastern DR Congo),†Magezi said.
“We think they came to get weapons and food.â€
Meanwhile, the authorities of Haut-Mbomou province in the Central African Republic have petitioned their government to protect the population against LRA attacks by setting up a military base in the area.
In an open letter, they also called upon the release of 157 children and adults who were abducted by the LRA in March.
“Since the arrival of the LRA rebels in the area on March 6 and 7 up to today, none of the abductees have returned to their villages,†the letter, which was also copied to embassies and UN agencies, read.
“According to information obtained, the young boys abducted have been enrolled by force into the rebel army, while the girls serve as sex slaves for the soldiers.â€
In addition, the authorities want the ir government and the international community to “help the populations, whose properties have been looted and houses and granaries destroyed, to recover their stolen goods and rebuild their homes.â€
They cite eight towns and villages attacked by LRA rebels in recent months.
Among the list of abductees are 36 children of 12 years and below, the youngest being six-years- old.
THE South Sudanese army (SPLA) clashed with a group of LRA fighters at Nimule, on the border with Uganda, on Sunday, according to UN sources. The SPLA reportedly killed three members of the LRA and captured one.
The Ugandan army could not confirm the clash.
UPDF spokesperson Capt. Chris Magezi, however, confirmed the presence of an LRA group in Pageri, 40km north of the Ugandan border, over the weekend.
“On Saturday night, around 30 LRA fighters attacked the village of Pageri. They looted food and abducted two people, a man and a woman. The woman was later released,†Magezi said yesterday.
According to army intelligence, the group crossed the River Nile again on Sunday night.
“They moved in the direction of Kajo Keji, heading back towards Garamba National Park (in the eastern DR Congo),†Magezi said.
“We think they came to get weapons and food.â€
Meanwhile, the authorities of Haut-Mbomou province in the Central African Republic have petitioned their government to protect the population against LRA attacks by setting up a military base in the area.
In an open letter, they also called upon the release of 157 children and adults who were abducted by the LRA in March.
“Since the arrival of the LRA rebels in the area on March 6 and 7 up to today, none of the abductees have returned to their villages,†the letter, which was also copied to embassies and UN agencies, read.
“According to information obtained, the young boys abducted have been enrolled by force into the rebel army, while the girls serve as sex slaves for the soldiers.â€
In addition, the authorities want the ir government and the international community to “help the populations, whose properties have been looted and houses and granaries destroyed, to recover their stolen goods and rebuild their homes.â€
They cite eight towns and villages attacked by LRA rebels in recent months.
Among the list of abductees are 36 children of 12 years and below, the youngest being six-years- old.