Sudan accused rebels of killing 100 and stealing 30,000 heads of cattle as they agree on self-determination

Nairobi peace talks which were concluded on Wednesday between the Sudanese government and the opposition forces led by John Garang agreed on self-determination under international supervision to Southern Sudan according to Khartoum peace accord signed during 1997 between the government and Rebellions groups.

After the Nairobi agreement was struck, the Sudanese government announced a unilateral cease fire and reopened roads, crossings and airports to transport humanitarian aid to the starved people of southern Sudan, especially in Bahr al-Gazelle province.

However, the Sudanese authorities accused the southern rebels of killing 23 members of the al-Maseyra Arab tribe and of stealing 18,000 heads of cattle in West Kardavan province. The province minister of state, Omar Suleiman, said that rebel elements, led by John Garang, carried out between April 30 and May 5 attacks against Arab tribes in the south of the province on its border with al-Wahda province, which is regarded as part of southern Sudan.

The Sudanese daily al-Joumhouriyah quoted Parliamentarian al-Khaeir al-Fahim as saying the rebels asked Arab tribes that reside on the border with al-Wahda province to open the road to the north in return for the restoration of the stolen cattle. The Sudanese parliamentarian added that within one month the rebels killed 100 people and stole more than 30,000 heads of cattle estimated at a value of U.S. $8.4 million.

He called upon the Arab tribes to formulate troops to defend themselves and protect their properties against the attacks of the rebels who have fought the Sudanese regime since 1983.