27 December, 2001

SPDF clashes with the government of Sudan (GoS) at mermer village of Western Upper Nile region

On 27 December 2001, the forces of Sudan People’s Democratic front had a serious clashes with the government of Sudan forces at Mermer village, Padeah and Koch village.

The GoS was tempted by their dubious field collaborations with the rebel forces of SPDF and miserably assumed that they can even interact with the rebel to the extend that they can share deployment of troops in the area. The assumption on the side of the government of Sudan was that since they have that kind of unclear relationships with the rebel can also give them the share deployment.

The fighting on 27th of December between SPDF and the government of Sudan (GoS) was precipitated by the desire of GoS to deploy her troops in Mermer and Koch villages of Western Upper Nile region without consent from the SPDF rebel and command in the area.

They were warned by the SPDF not to deploy their forces in SPDF territory but they resisted it and went a head with the deployment of their troops in SPDF territory despite all the warning and threats from SPDF.

The SPDF in return, had no any other choice then to reclaim its territory back by force which lead to a serious and disastrous askermishes which later on developed in to a full scale operations which lasted for complete four days with heavy loses on both sides.

The SPDF managed to recapture and reoccupied their territories successfully and this incident turn them in to a bitter enemies and cut off all kinds of dubious deals between them.

The GoS intention was very clear, other then to expand their territorial control over the SPDF forces in the area so that oil expansion in term of oil exploration was to be speeded up before the rebel forces reunited again, mean while, as the rebel are in confusion and disaray, therefore, they must also have their lion share before the foolish southern Sudanese realise it.

The government has exposed themselves and ill wishes intentions to take the oil and the land of these people. However, this senario to some extend has also open up the eyes of the rebel forces and began to realise the big threat of the Arab interest of the oil and without its people’s.

Such senario may even bring the rebels forces of Western Upper Nile closest to themselves to face the GoS together and may put their differences aside since the government interests was to take the land and the oil without its people’s.

For your information

From Western Upper Nile information desk field reporter from Western Upper Nile region @ the center of the oilfields.