Military’s cease-fire breaks down in Southern Sudan
Clashes erupted Wednesday and continued Thursday between a breakaway commander and the former rebel military of Southern Sudan, killing at least 16 people and ending a key cease-fire just months before the war-torn region is set to emerge as the world’s newest nation.
The Jan. 5 agreement signed between the Southern Sudan army and rebel George Athor helped pave the way for the undeveloped region’s peaceful referendum on independence Jan. 9-15. Southern Sudan is set for nationhood in July after 99 percent voted in favor of separation. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir certified the result Monday.
“The cease-fire is now broken,” said Philip Aguer, a spokesman for the Southern Sudan military, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.