SPLM claims U.S botched gun smuggling ring had many people involved

By Simon Deng

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party on Friday claimed to have information implicating many undisclosed people in the recent botched plan by exiled South Sudanese nationals in the U.S to smuggle arms and ammunition to South Sudan.

This came after a criminal complaint was filed Tuesday in the State of Arizona charging Peter Biar Ajak, 40, leader and founder of Revive South Sudan Party and Abraham Chol Keech, 44, with conspiring to purchase and illegally export millions of dollars’ worth of fully automatic rifles, grenade launchers, Stinger missile systems, hand grenades, sniper rifles, ammunition, and other export-controlled items from the United States to South Sudan, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA).

Santo Malek Anai, the SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization told The Dawn that government in Juba is deeply concerned over the incident in the U.S, adding there could be many people involved in the conspiracy.

 “For those who are symphasing with Peter Biar, it is right time for them now to think twice, let them distance themselves from what he is doing, there are  some other elements involved in that big conspiracy against the nation,” said Malek.

Peter Biar Ajak fled to the U.S with the help of the American government four years ago after he claimed President Salva Kiir Mayardit ordered his abduction or killing while in hiding in neighboring Kenya.

In a separate development, Malek said the government is prepared to hold the upcoming general election slated for December this year, arguing that they have already established the Political Parties’ Council, National Constitutional Review Commission, National Elections Commission that are critical for the conduct of elections.

“There is no room for more extension, we stand our ground, South Sudanese are tired of the transitional arrangement and transitional government, we are going for election,”  said Malek.

He also noted that they will not wait for the opposition to organize to take part in the elections.

“We are not in position to go and tell other political parties to come and conduct their programs, if they do not have programs then we cannot push them, we are more active because we have a program for this country,” said Malek