Forces clear rail line

Efforts by the SPLA to obstruct a rail convoy heading for Bahr al-Ghazal, southern Sudan, have been thwarted by government forces. A statement issued by the general command of the Sudanese armed forces on 29 September said efforts by the SPLA to prevent the convoy from reaching Aweil, southern Bahr al-Ghazal, had been repulsed by the armed forces and People’s Defence Forces (PDF). According to the statement, the SPLA attacked the convoy on 25 September, but incurred heavy human and material losses. The Alul river bridge, which had been destroyed by the SPLA, had been rehabilitated by the army, said the statement, carried by state media.

Government forces were “massing in Equatoria [southern Sudan] around Torit, Mgoi and Kaila”, said the statement. The SPLA had “rejected all peace initiatives and violated all agreements, as well as the government’s goodwill in announcing a ceasefire”.