July 31, 2006 - According to SPLA sources in Northern Upper Nile, Presidential Advisor for Southern Affairs Riak Gai took a contingent of armed men to Renk last night and attempted to attack SPLA officers in their guesthouse. Before he could reach the area, intelligence personnel, who had been monitoring his movement from White Nile State until he arrived Renk, intercepted him and his forces. The presidential advisor entered the area with a motor vehicle convey with mounted weapons and armed men without notifying the authorities. Intelligence reports indicate that Riak Gai is mobilizing the militia forces in the area, headed by Muhammed Chol, to attack the SPLA forces in the area. SPLA forces are now at a state of maximum alert. Sudan Armed Forces in the area, who should have been redeployed by now in accordance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, are held up in their barracks and there is extreme tension in Northern upper Nile.

A SPLA spokesperson, who declined to be named, warns that President Omar Al Bashir, as Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces, will be responsible if war breaks out, since his advisor for Southern Affairs violated the peace agreement by attempting an attack on Southern officers. The spokesman said the SPLA is ready to respond to any hostile moves from National Congress Party elements, insisting that the president should recall his advisor, along with his illegal forces, from the area.

Continued presence of militias in Sudan, in contravention of the Interim National Constitution and Comprehensive Peace Agreement, continues to be a serious threat to peace. This is one of the key issues First Vice President Kiir raised with American President George W. Bush during his recent official visit to Washington. According to the CPA and INC, only the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) are legal armed forces in Sudan.