LOC14:02
11:02 GMT
KHARTOUM, April 26 (KUNA) -- The death toll in southern Darfur rose to 159,
after clashes between soldiers from Sudan's People's Liberation Army and armed
members of the Rizeigat tribe.
The United Nations (UN) said on Monday that the Sudanese government
reported 21 people killed and 25 others injured from Rizeigat in the clashes
in the areas of Balbala, Masheesh, and Temsaha on Sunday.
The confrontations started last Friday, killing and injuring about 111 from
both sides.
Southern Sudan was allowed to keep its private army and to form a
semi-independent government after the signing of the 2005 peace agreement with
the Sudanese government, ending a civil war with northern Sudan, which lasted
more than two decades.
Sudan's People's Liberation Army accused the Sudanese armed forces of
supplying the Rizeigat with heavy weapons.
The accusation was denied and the tribe said it was the liberation army
that attacked Rizeigat first in violation of the peace agreement.(end)
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KUNA 261402 Apr 10NNNN