Press Release/Commentary by SPLANA posted on September 01, 2002 at 16:54:06: EST (-5 GMT)

GOVERNMENT FORCES EVACUATE TORIT

PRESS RELEASE
SPLM/A News Agency
September 1, 2002 - Nairobi

The historic town of Torit in Eastern Equatoria was evacuated this afternoon by the GOS forces. SPLA forces of the 2nd front are now in full control of Torit town as the remnants of the enemy forces flee in two different directions; namely North West to Lafon through Bur and towards Juba on Torit/Liria road.

In a strange all out offensive, Khartoum has been bombarding towns and villages in Upper Nile, Bhar el Ghazel and Eastern Equatoria. These bombardments resulted in the killing of more than 30 innocent civilians and had considerable destruction of the infrastructure and livestock. The GOS ground forces have also been mounting attacks on several SPLA positions particularly around Torit and Lafon.

On Friday the 30th of August 2002 the government ordered its troops out of Torit Town with the purpose of recapturing Hiyala (Keyala) and Kapoeta. Hiyala, known to all, is a relief centre for the displaced with no military presence. These GOS marauding forces were intercepted after Idolu, and pursued and withdrew to Torit Town.

Initial report from SPLA Commanders in the field indicate that the government forces abandoned large numbers of military equipment which the government army in Torit Town is estimated at about 8,000 officers and men. Their mission was to launch a huge campaign to clear all the SPLA forces from Hiyala, Ikotos and Kapoeta. They had 23 outposts around Torit that were assigned to killing and harassing the civil population.

Finally the SPLM/A Leadership hereby warns the GOS to stop provoking the SPLA and therefore escalating the war particularly at this time when peace talks are under way in Machakos. The SPLM/A reiterates its commitment to the IGAD peace process and will not be derailed from the pursuit of peace. We assure the Sudanese people in particular and the international community in general that the SPLM/A delegation to the current peace talks will not withdraw despite Khartoum repeated provocative attacks.

Dr Samson L. Kwaje
Commissioner of Information and
Official Spokesman SPLM/SPLA