[Archive] BBC Interviews USSP Deputy Leader on Violence in Akobo

Date: 04 Aug 2009

In the wake of the latest violence between the Murle and Luo Nuer ethnic groups in the Akobo area of South Sudan where at least 185 lives were lost, and given that Sudan is only months away from general elections and a referendum in 2011, BBC Network Africa asked USSP’s Deputy Leader Brian Badi in their London studios what this instability meant and whether he was surprised by the latest violence.

Mr Badi responded that one of the reasons for the violence was that arms were recklessly left “awash” in the land in the hands of unauthorised people, and uncollected by the authorities. (It’s unfortunate to note that there seem to be indications that these groups carrying illegal arms are apparently being heavily armed by elements within the same system that is supposed to disarm and protect them in the first place!)

The other reason was that some people felt that they were unfairly treated by the injustice inherent in the present “system“—i.e. both the Government of Southern Sudan and the Government of National Unity. Security in the South, in particular, hasn’t been taken seriously by the GOSS. There are groups that keep illegal arms and readily take the law into their own hands by victimising others.

Asked what he believed was the way forward, Mr Badi said what was needed was a very strong and fair government in the South—a government of the people by the people; a caring government that treats all South Sudanese as equals without preference.

Listen to an MP3 audio clip of the USSP portion of the interview.

You may also listen to the entire audio on the BBC’s Web site here [© BBC—accessed 2009-08-04], or BBC Network Africa.