South Sudan: SPLA and Athor clashes 'kill scores'

March 18, 2011

18 March 2011 Last updated at 13:30 ET

Two days of fighting between the South Sudan army and rebels have killed about

70 people, officials say.

The clashes between the SPLA and fighters loyal to rebel leader Athor

have broken out in three states.

After similar clashes last week, the southern government accused the north and

President al-Bashir of trying to destabilise it.

South Sudan is due to declare independence in July, following decades of

north-south conflict.

Some 99% of South Sudanese voters backed secession in January's referendum,

which was part of a 2005 peace deal.

" The fighting was very heavy, but the rebels are now being pursued, " said SPLA

spokesman Philip Aguer, reports the AFP news agency.

He said 34 SPLA soldiers and 36 rebels had been killed.

Fighting broke out in Unity and Upper Nile states on Thursday, before continuing

in Jonglei state on Friday, Col Aguer said.

The SPLA has been trying to track down the rebel forces who carried out a raid

on the major town of Malakal last week.

Following that attack, the SPLA southern government said it was suspending talks

with the north about secession.

It accused the northern military intelligence of arming southern militias in

order to topple the SPLA.

The north denied the charges and President Bashir has repeatedly said he will

accept the independence of the oil-rich south.

Gen Athor went into rebellion after losing last April's election to be governor

of Jonglei state, which he contested as an independent candidate.

His group signed a ceasefire just before the referendum but fighting resumed in

February and hundreds have been killed.

His rebellion appears to be spreading, and represents a growing concern for the

southern authorities as they prepare for independence, correspondents say.

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