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Sudan Tribune

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New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels

October 26, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Relatively new Chinese weapons have been seized from rebel groups in South Sudan, according to the Small Arms Survey research organisation.

'125 newly manufactured Chinese Type-56-1 assault rifles (copy of the Russian AKS-47), seized by SPLA forces during fighting in Riyak payam, Mayom county, Unity state. Identical rifles were in the possession of Gadet’s soldiers in videos posted on the Internet. The SPLA also seized identical rifles from Athor’s forces in Jonglei state in the same month.' (Small Arms Survey)
‘125 newly manufactured Chinese Type-56-1 assault rifles (copy of the Russian AKS-47), seized by SPLA forces during fighting in Riyak payam, Mayom county, Unity state. Identical rifles were in the possession of Gadet’s soldiers in videos posted on the Internet. The SPLA also seized identical rifles from Athor’s forces in Jonglei state in the same month.’ (Small Arms Survey)
Arms captured from rebel fighters loyal to both Peter Gadet and George Athor included Chinese Type-56-1 assault rifles. South Sudan has repeatedly accused Khartoum of backing southern rebels in an attempt to destabilise the oil-rich nation, which became independent in July.

Khartoum denies that it arms rebels in South Sudan.

However, the fact that large number of the same weapons were seized from both groups indicates that the arms could have been acquired from outside South Sudan, a recent Small Arms Survey (SAS) report says.

Since Gadet’s spokesperson posted videos on the internet showing off their new Chinese Type-56-1 assault rifles in June, Gadet has given up his armed insurgency and rejoined the South Sudanese army (SPLA).

The video, according to the SAS report, shows ‘hundreds of Gadet’s fighters at an undisclosed location—likely in Mayom county, Unity state—wielding what appear to be mint-condition Chinese Type-56-1 assault rifles.’

The quantity of new weapons in the video is unusual for non-state groups in South Sudan, the Geneva-based research organisation says, adding that it is continuing clarify the origin of the weapons and how they got into the hands of rebel groups in South Sudan.

Despite an amnesty offer from South Sudan’s president, Athor, who rebelled after loosing his bid to became governor of Jonglei state in 2010, has not rejoined the SPLA. Athor is the most senior figure to have rebelled against the Juba government, having once been a minister in South Sudan’s cabinet.

‘Between February and March 2011 the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) engaged militarily with George Athor’s forces on multiple occasions. In clashes along the border of Upper Nile and Jonglei states in March 2011 the army seized anti-tank mines, assault rifles, light and heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, and their requisite ammunition,’ says the SAS report published on 20 October.

The Small Arms Survey witnessed the materiel seized from Gadet’s forces in Bentui in April this year, after the SPLA captured the weapons on 17 March during fighting in Riyak payam [district] of Mayom county. Mayom county, which is in the western part Unity state was where Gadet based his South Sudan Liberation Army in his aborted attempt to overthrow the Juba government.

The Small Arms Survey also documented: ‘Four relatively new Chinese-manufactured Type-80 general-purpose machine guns (copy of the Russian PKM), seized by SPLA forces during fighting in Riyak payam, Mayom county, Unity state. Identical models were seized from Athor’s forces in Jonglei state in the same month.’

ERITREAN LINK?

The report also found that ammunition seized from Athor’s forces was identical to rounds bearing the same lot number from Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) forces in Somalia in September 2010.

The ONLF are reported to have been supplied by Eritrea. The report said that the discovery raises ‘questions about possible Eritrean relationships with Khartoum and/or Athor.’

DARFUR

Ammunition, which the Small Arms Survey believes was produced in Sudan was seized ‘in large numbers from Athor’s forces in Phom Zeraf, Jonglei state and from Gadet’s forces in Riyak Payam, Mayom county, Unity state. Sudanese government forces in Darfur have used similar varieties bearing different headstamps.’

(ST)

Photos of the seized weapons from South Sudan rebels.

8 Comments

  • MINDED.DUDE
    MINDED.DUDE

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels
    hahaha,
    they dont look like soldiers who can defend the south sudan,but only their tribal territories…And they dont speak any arabic but only their dialect.
    what a shame????/

    Reply
  • Madit
    Madit

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels
    Man they are just cattle keepers how do you expected them to looked like soldiers and they are naturally blood,milk and addicted. let us keep on praying such that God will change their attitude again cattle

    Reply
  • Achiek Alier Jr
    Achiek Alier Jr

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels
    Fanny and weak SSLA

    Reply
  • LongTweng
    LongTweng

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels
    I laughs when they sings, They try to copy SPLA battalions ways by saying SSLA oyee!
    Jiece commando! ayaan maa pic!

    Go home brothers and forget the mess forces on you by mad those mad politicians.

    Reply
  • okucu pa lotinokwan
    okucu pa lotinokwan

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels

    Shame on the current youth in south sudan, who can take arm without meaning but keep on killing his own people,Dadet and George Athor plus Lam Akol should be taken to the ICC

    OKUCU PA LOTINOKWAN

    Reply
  • Michael Miyom Minyiel
    Michael Miyom Minyiel

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels
    If comrade Bashire was able to supplied arms to Libya rebels, what do you think he could have done to the new rebels?
    Arming our own people to continue killing themselves is not either the solution the solution is only to arm them with wisdom to avoid killing one another.
    Come home brother George Athor.
    We love you and we have many challenges ahead that you are needed badly to be assigned to.

    Reply
  • Ogaden
    Ogaden

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels
    ONLF (Ogaden National Liberation Front) are not from Somali, as the article pointed out. They are in Ogaden region which is occupied by Ethiopia and they are fighting for self determination.

    Instead of blaming Eritrea, you need to pay close attention Ethiopia which has close relationship with China. Ethiopia do not wantt stable South Sudan, because they afriad that they will support Gambela

    Reply
  • Alier42
    Alier42

    New weapons seized from South Sudan rebels
    @ Ogaden

    If you had run out of what to say about the article,then do not creat confusion around,there is nothing that we can gain from Gambela, so that we can opt for their support, yes”you can support a group of people who had a political agenda of their conflict simply.

    Reply
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