Sudan Starts Hunt For LRA
Mar 04, 2004
<b>Villagers mobilised on radio</b><br>THE Sudanese government and local communities around the southern city of Juba have began mobilising against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
Villagers Mobilised On Radio
By Emmy Allio
THE Sudanese government and local communities around the southern city of Juba have began mobilising against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
The LRA recently killed several Sudanese civilians and drove away over 3,000 head of cattle from the Marela and Bari tribes.
Meanwhile, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) yesterday said it had killed 86 Kony rebels in three days of fighting between Lire and Mangala on the Juba-Torit road.
Sudan’s wrath on the LRA follows a ghastly
ambush on a Sudan People’s Army (SPA) convoy on February 21. Sources said a number of SPA soldiers, among them a brigadier and a colonel, were killed.
The Sudan army was deployed to pursue the terrorists and recover the stolen animals.
In statements read on local radio stations in Juba, the Sudan government-appointed governor of Juba, Maj. Gen. James Loro, asked the population to mobilise against the rebels led by Joseph Kony.
The Sudanese ambassador to Uganda, Hamid Siraj al-Din, said, “I know that there is tension around Juba between our army and local tribes on one side and Kony rebels on the other side. There is actually anger against LRA there. But I am yet to get further details on the situation on the ground.â€
Early this week, the LRA attacked SPLA units between Lire and Mangala, southeast of Juba in the ongoing battles.
The SPLA-appointed governor of Equatoria region, Samuel Abu-John, yesterday said, “In three days of fighting, SPLA has killed 86 of Kony’s people and recovered most of the 3,000 cattle.â€
“For the first time in his 18-year campaign, Kony is now besieged by the Sudan government, SPLA and Sudanese tribes. Their collapse will now come much easier and earlier than anticipated when the Sudan peace agreement is signed,†Abu John said.
Sources said Kony’s deputy, Vincent Otti and his chief adviser, Kenneth Banya, who commanded the LRA against SPLA, fled while the bulk of the rebels headed towards Upper Talanga and the Imatong hills on the Sudan-Uganda border.
The SPLA offensive on the LRA is led by Mohamur Obutu.
Kony is said to be in the Sindro hills among his in-laws of the Lulubo tribe.
But SPLA sources said Kony’s good reception among the Lulubo, ended two weeks ago following a raid on the tribe this week.
The sources said five people were killed and cattle taken in the raid.
“What is happening is that these Ugandan killers have no food and are desperate. They have earned the wrath of everybody. The SPLA is fighting them in bid to protect local Langi, Acholi and Lotuku tribes around Magwi in Torit district. Kony has killed these tribes and forced others to eat the dead,†Abu-John said.
Terms of the ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A do not allow movement of troops by either side.
“Kony rebels attacked us in our locality and we just hit back,†Abu-John said.
Ends
By Emmy Allio
THE Sudanese government and local communities around the southern city of Juba have began mobilising against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
The LRA recently killed several Sudanese civilians and drove away over 3,000 head of cattle from the Marela and Bari tribes.
Meanwhile, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) yesterday said it had killed 86 Kony rebels in three days of fighting between Lire and Mangala on the Juba-Torit road.
Sudan’s wrath on the LRA follows a ghastly
ambush on a Sudan People’s Army (SPA) convoy on February 21. Sources said a number of SPA soldiers, among them a brigadier and a colonel, were killed.
The Sudan army was deployed to pursue the terrorists and recover the stolen animals.
In statements read on local radio stations in Juba, the Sudan government-appointed governor of Juba, Maj. Gen. James Loro, asked the population to mobilise against the rebels led by Joseph Kony.
The Sudanese ambassador to Uganda, Hamid Siraj al-Din, said, “I know that there is tension around Juba between our army and local tribes on one side and Kony rebels on the other side. There is actually anger against LRA there. But I am yet to get further details on the situation on the ground.â€
Early this week, the LRA attacked SPLA units between Lire and Mangala, southeast of Juba in the ongoing battles.
The SPLA-appointed governor of Equatoria region, Samuel Abu-John, yesterday said, “In three days of fighting, SPLA has killed 86 of Kony’s people and recovered most of the 3,000 cattle.â€
“For the first time in his 18-year campaign, Kony is now besieged by the Sudan government, SPLA and Sudanese tribes. Their collapse will now come much easier and earlier than anticipated when the Sudan peace agreement is signed,†Abu John said.
Sources said Kony’s deputy, Vincent Otti and his chief adviser, Kenneth Banya, who commanded the LRA against SPLA, fled while the bulk of the rebels headed towards Upper Talanga and the Imatong hills on the Sudan-Uganda border.
The SPLA offensive on the LRA is led by Mohamur Obutu.
Kony is said to be in the Sindro hills among his in-laws of the Lulubo tribe.
But SPLA sources said Kony’s good reception among the Lulubo, ended two weeks ago following a raid on the tribe this week.
The sources said five people were killed and cattle taken in the raid.
“What is happening is that these Ugandan killers have no food and are desperate. They have earned the wrath of everybody. The SPLA is fighting them in bid to protect local Langi, Acholi and Lotuku tribes around Magwi in Torit district. Kony has killed these tribes and forced others to eat the dead,†Abu-John said.
Terms of the ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A do not allow movement of troops by either side.
“Kony rebels attacked us in our locality and we just hit back,†Abu-John said.
Ends