Equatoria frequent target of government bombing

Over 55 incidents of bombardment were reported by relief agencies in southern Sudan during the period, Annan’s annual report stated. Eastern Equatoria in particular was a repeated target of bombing by the government since the attempted takeover of Torit by the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in September 1998, the report said. “Yei, Kajo-Keji, Ikotos, Labone, Chukudum and Narus were bombed several times,” it said, adding that NGO-supported hospitals had been hit. Meanwhile, raids by ‘Murahaleen’ militia in the first half of 1999 added to the fragile humanitarian situation in southern Sudan. The raids led to “a number of deaths, theft of livestock and the abduction of women and children”, it said.