South Sudan lawmakers approve creation of air force

Source: Reuters

JUBA, Sudan - South Sudan's parliament has approved the first steps towards creating an air force for the semi-autonomous region, officials said on Tuesday.

A White Paper on Defence approved by the parliament on Monday said the south's armed forces "shall consist of a ground force supported by air and riverine units" and an air transport squadron.

South Sudan formed its own government after reaching a peace deal with the north in 2005 that ended Africa's longest civil war and paves the way for democratic elections next year. More than two million people died in the five-decade conflict.

Having its own air force would strengthen the south in its dealings with the Khartoum-based Islamist government in the north. Under the peace deal, the south can hold a referendum on secession in 2011.

Peter Parnyang, spokesman of the south's Sudan People's Liberation Army, said the south could not yet afford to buy military aircraft, but pilots were being trained in readiness.

SPLA salaries swallow the bulk of the south's 50 percent share of oil revenues from wells in the south of the country. Sudan produces at least 500,000 barrels per day of crude.

Demobilisation of the south's large guerrilla force has been delayed by officials' fears of violence if it is not properly planned, and this has delayed the formation of the efficient and affordable army envisaged in the White Paper.

The official payroll is for around 70,000 troops, and southern Regional Cooperation Minister Benjamin Marial estimated the demobilisation target on Tuesday at around 90,000.

North-south relations have often been fraught since the 2005 peace deal, and came under severe strain last month when an outbreak of fighting between the two sides in the oil-rich Abyei area killed nearly 90 people and displaced 50,000.