Ugandan traders and vehicles held Hostage In South Sudan

Kampala — SOLDIERS of Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) protesting non-payment of their salaries have taken hostage, several Ugandan traders and vehicles destined for Kampala from Juba along the Nimule-Bibia road.

The mutinying SPLA soldiers are demanding salary arrears for the last seven months. The Sudan Tribune on Friday quoted officials who said a section of SPLA war victims staged similar demonstrations on Wednesday morning in Yei, Kaya and Moyo, paralyzing business there. Other border points paralysed by the mutineers include Kajo-Keji which links Oraba and Moyo to Southern Sudan.

The media reported that residents in the area have stayed indoors to avoid likely confrontation in case of interference with the angry veterans. Nimule is the gateway to Uganda in Eastern Equatoria State of Sudan.

A source who spoke to Saturday Vision on phone from Yei said South Sudan President Salva Kiir flew in and addressed the disgruntled soldiers in the stadium. While Kiir was in Yei, all shops and offices were closed.

No vehicle was allowed to travel towards Kaya that connects to Ugandan border post of Oraba. The airstrip was also closed to all flights.

Ali Mukiibi, a Ugandan trader who had delivered groceries to Juba and was returning to Kampala said, "The soldiers have roughed up some people and robbed them of their property."

Mukiibi said during the hostage taking, the mutineers shouted that they were not only demanding payment from the government of Southern Sudan; but also wanted reparations from Uganda. They argue that Southern Sudan incurred damages as Ugandan soldiers fought Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army there.

Mukiibi who said the standoff began on Wednesday toldSaturday Vision that there are over 1,000 vehicles including buses, trucks trailers, and saloon cars, stranded along the route.

"These people have said we are the negotiating tool and we will not be released until their demands are met. We've had no food or water for three days," Mukiibi said.

Ali Ssebi, a Ugandan truck driver from Nakasongola, said a senior SPLA officer was on Friday morning chased away from the town where he attempted to address the mutineers.

"Our cars have nothing to do with their salaries; but the soldiers say that by burning some of our vehicles, it will affect revenue collection for the Government and compel the top officials to act," Ssebi said.

Julius Musoke, a banana trader who had delivered matooke (green bananas) to Juba said, "I thought we could appease these soldiers with some money; but they are not accepting anything. They have guns. Some of the drivers are sick."

An official at the Kampala GOSS liaison office in a telephone interview said, "I have received reports that the road is blocked by former SPLA combatants asking for higher pay. I'm not aware ofharassment of Ugandan traders. Iwill try to find out."

Still open are the access routes through Afogi and Kajo-Keji .The in-charge on the Sudan side, Peter Todo and his Ugandan counterpart Moses Muhairwe said motorists plying from Koboko in Uganda, can access Sudan only through these border points. Afogi and Kajo-Keji link Moyo district to the Central Equatorial Province of Sudan.

Both officials said travellers can move as previously scheduled (8:00am to 6:00pm everyday).

Source: new vision-Uganda