Khartoum blamed for raids, death of 10 at border

By David Ochami in Juba

Ten people have been killed and 18 hurt on the volatile North-South Sudan border in an attack Juba authorities blame on Khartoum.

The armed attack on a truck convoy reportedly followed a visit to the killing field by Governor Mohamed Harun of South Kurdufan state in Northern Sudan.

Tuesday, UN officials toured the region. South Sudan Internal Security Minister Gier Chuang Aluong said the victims were coming from Khartoum to vote.

He claimed the incident resembled a state-sanctioned massacre that now vindicates Juba’s request for UN peacekeepers on the volatile border.

And there was an explosion at military barracks hosting a contingent of North and South soldiers in Juba, yesterday.

Reports indicated a soldier was killed, but Aluong said, "the soldier was burnt" without explaining his injuries.

He said the officer manning ammunitions depot fell asleep before a candle in his room ignited a flame leading to the 3am explosions.

Meanwhile, reports indicate thousands of internally displaced people from Khartoum are fleeing back to the North after being attacked by Misseriya Arab nomads at Bahr al Ghazal and South Kurdufan states border.

"I have talked to Governor Paul Malong of Northern Bahr Ghazal and he has confirmed to me ten people were killed and 18 injured," said the Internal Security minister.

"This figure will increase," the minister added as he declared the establishment in Khartoum should be held responsible for the fresh wave of attacks.

"Misseriya belong to a country and someone need to be held responsible," said Aluong.

Arab nomads

Misseriya are Arab nomads living mainly in Abyei and Northern Sudan. Abyei is in South Kurdufan in the North.

Misseriya are also contesting ownership of Abyei region with ethnic Ngok Dinka.

Despite torrid temperatures and slow but long queues, thousands of voters are still turning up at polling centres across the ten states.

Voting ends on January 15 with results announced after a month and new nation be declared on July 9, according to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which has led to the weeklong vote.