57 killed in clashes in Southern Sudan

57 killed in clashes in Southern Sudan

2011-04-24 23:32:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

JUBA, SOUTHERN SUDAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 57 people were killed in fighting between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and a rebel militia in South Sudan's Jonglei state.

The Sudan Tribune reported that the SPLA claimed that it killed 57 militia members after forces loyal to General Gabriel Tanginya attacked them on Saturday. It said three major-generals and several high ranking officers were among them.

The militia forces were in the process of completing their reintegration into the South Sudan army. According to an agreement reached in October 2010, Tanginya was due to integrate his forces into the SPLA before July 9 when the South will become officially independent.

In a press release read on South Sudan TV on Saturday evening by the head of the SPLA Information Department, Brig. Gen. Malaak Ayuen, said many people were wounded and that one Major General and a number of Brig. Generals were captured.

Tanginya fought for large periods against the SPLA during the two decades civil war between the North and the South that killed some 2 million people and drove an estimated 4.5 million others from their homes. The war ended in 2005 with a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Khartoum government and the political wing of SPLA, who were then a rebel movement fighting for greater rights of southerners.

Since the 2005 peace deal, Tanginya's forces have been accused of attacking Malakal in Upper Nile state and killing hundreds. In February 2011, Tanginya's forces clashed again with their northern colleagues after refusing to transfer weapons.

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