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    November 16, 2011

UN Official Calls Sudanese Rebel Alliance 'Counterproductive'

   VOA News
   Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (R) listens as his South Sudanese
   counterpart Salva Kiir speaks during a joint news conference, before
   Kiir's departure at Khartoum Airport October 9, 2011.
   Photo: Reuters
   Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (R) listens as his South Sudanese
   counterpart Salva Kiir speaks during a joint news conference, before
   Kiir's departure at Khartoum Airport, October 9, 2011.

   The United Nations peacekeeping chief has condemned a military alliance
   between rebel movements in Sudan that has the stated goal of
   overthrowing the government of President Omar al-Bashir.
   The head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous,
   said Tuesday during a briefing to the Security Council that the rebel
   alliance is counterproductive and could spark further violence.
   Last week, various Sudanese rebel groups announced the establishment of
   the Sudan Revolutionary Front or SRF. The group includes the Sudan
   People's Liberation Movement-North, which fought for the South during
   Sudan's north-south civil war.
   Sudan has accused South Sudan, which became independent in July, of
   helping set up the alliance. South Sudan denies the charges.
   In his briefing Tuesday, Ladsous also said he was concerned about
   recent reports of bombings along the border of the two countries.
   The U.N. accused Sudan earlier this week of having bombed a refugee
   camp in South Sudan, a charge which Khartoum denies.
   Sudan and South Sudan have been almost constantly at odds since the
   south became independent in July.
   Ladsous urged the two countries to quickly resolve outstanding issues
   over borders and the sharing of oil revenue during negotiations that
   are set to resume next week in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
   On Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also expressed "deep
   concern" over the escalation of rhetoric between the two neighbors.

   Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.