Sudan: Mini-war on north-south Sudan borders leads to cancellation of Bashir’s trip to Juba
The Sudanese government on Monday announced that president Omer Hassan al-Bashir’s scheduled summit with his southern counterpart Salva Kiir on 3 April has been cancelled in wake of the most serious confrontation between the armies of the two neighbouring states on Monday, since partition in July last year.
On Monday Kiir claimed that the military escalation was provoked by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) coordinated aerial attacks on Jau and Pan Akuach followed by a ground forces assault against another area called Teshwin.
“This morning the Sudanese Air Force came and bombed our areas in Unity State but the [Sudan People Liberation Army] SPLA forces fought back and took control of all their positions,” Kiir told delegates of his ruling Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) who convened in South Sudan’s capital of Juba.
“After this intensive aerial bombardment our forces were attacked by Sudan Armed Forces and militia,” he added.