Refugees flee ethnic clashes to Uganda, Kenya

Over 400 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Uganda over the past few days, a UNHCR spokesman said on Wednesday. The refugees reported fleeing clashes between the Dinka and Didinga ethnic groups in southern Sudan, he said. Another 210 refugees had arrived from Sudan to the Kakuma area of Kenya between 7-13 November, the spokesman added. In May there was an influx of abut 400 Sudanese refugees fleeing similar fighting. The semi-official ‘New Vision’ newspaper in Uganda reported the recent fighting as factional clashes within the ranks of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and quoted a Didinga refugee as saying most of his compatriots were from Lotukel and Chukudum. SPLA spokesman Samson Kwaje told IRIN on Thursday he was awaiting details of the reported refugee movements and armed clashes. He had no knowledge of “full clashes” between the Dinka and Didinga within the SPLA, he said, but acknowledged there had been “some unease and incidents” in recent months.