S. Sudan warns of "unusual movement" of Sudanese army in border ar
April 9, 2014 (JUBA) - South Sudan said on Tuesday that it had received
reports of "unusual movement" by troops from neighbouring Sudan in border
areas separating the two countries, warning that such activities undermine
regional stability and efforts to improve bilateral relations between the
two countries
Authorities have condemned the incursion in the strongest possible terms,
accusing Sudan of violating its sovereignty and international law.
"Such aggression is a threat to the interests of not only the two countries
but every country in the region," South Sudanese army spokesperson Colonel
Philip Aguer told Sudan Tribune in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.
The military spokesperson is one of the first government figures to comment
on what many view as an attempt by the Sudan to take advantage of the
current internal conflict in the country to redraw borders using military
force.
South Sudan seceded from the north following a 2005 peace deal which ended a
brutal two-decades-long civil war. It gained independence in 2011, however,
much of the porous border areas separating the two countries remain
undemarcated.
"There have been reports since last week from our forces about unusual
movement of the Sudanese army along the border area, which is a clear
evidence of [a] lack of respect and coercion and intimidation," Unity
state's deputy governor, Stephen Mabek Lang, told Sudan Tribune in a
separate interview on Tuesday.
Lang said his country would continue to respect the terms of a government
agreement, but would not accept any revisions of the border line outside the
previous agreement between the two countries.
"As the government we will continue to respect the terms of the agreements
with the government of Sudan, especially the cooperation agreement, which
was why our president visited Khartoum recently. It was to show the
commitment of the government of the Republic of South Sudan," said Lang.
"But now it is appearing that someone wants to redefine the boundaries by
force, which is a clear violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty
of another independent state," he added.
South Sudan's deputy speaker of parliament, Mark Nyipuoc, said on Tuesday
that his country takes seriously the treaties it has with other countries,
saying the government would not tolerate "any unilateral coercive action
that seeks to undermine peace and administrative control" in the country.
"It is our tradition that we implement any treaty we signed with any nation.
We don't renege. With Sudan we have implemented what was required on our
side in the cooperation agreement," he added.
The officials were reacting to reports that Sudanese warplanes struck Unity
state's Parieng county on Tuesday, dropping bombs on unknown targets.
Lang said several local sources in Pariang county witnessed Antonov bomber
and MiG jets flying over Panyang area between about 9am and noon (local
time).
Lang told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that Sudanese jet fighters dropped at
least 10 bombs, destroying one car and forcing civilians to flee from
Panyang to Pariang.
The bombings sparked widespread fear among residents, including the
estimated 70,000 refugees living at Yida camp.
The airstrike follows a visit to Khartoum by the South Sudanese president,
Salva Kiir, during which security issues were discussed with his
counterpart, Omer Hassan al-Bashir.
The two have agreed to cooperate on security issues, as well as implement
terms of the 2012 Addis Ababa accords.
It is not clear whom the bombers were targeting, although it is known that
the Sudanese rebel groups JEM and SPLM-N have both had a presence in the
county.