4 killed in South Sudan attack ahead of referendum
A rebel group attacked Southern Sudan’s military and four rebels were killed, a military spokesman said Saturday, a day before the region begins voting in an independence referendum that is expected to divide Africa’s largest nation in two.
Despite the attack, most officials predict the weeklong vote to go peacefully.
Col. Philip Aguer said forces loyal to rebel leader Gatluak Gai attacked forces in the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army overnight Friday, possibly early Saturday, in Unity State, an oil-rich area on the north-south Sudan divide. Aguer said the counterattack by SPLA forces killed four and wounded six of Gai’s men.