The Sudanese People's Liberation Army has been drafting plans to train
pilots and acquire a range of aircraft for a military that could confront
the Khartoum regime. SPLA members, who in 2004 formally ended their
rebellion against Khartoum, said the planned military would help in any
decision on whether to unify or separate from northern Sudan.
"We want to transform SPLA from a guerrilla force into a veritable
military," SPLA spokesman Maj. Gen. Dame Koala said.
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Koala, in an interview with the London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat daily,
said the SPLA does not have an air force or navy. The spokesman did not cite
possible suppliers of either aircraft or warships for the southern Sudanese
force.
The Khartoum regime has warned that the establishment of an air force or
navy in the south would violate the peace agreement.
Officials said the accord also limits the number of soldiers in the south to
39,000.
But SPLA representatives said the southern movement would purchase
military platforms from funds garnered from the region's crude oil industry.
They said recruitment for the new military would take place in villages
throughout the south.
The United States has been helping SPLA strengthen its security
capacity. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has contracted
the U.S. firm DynCorp International to train SPLA elements. The contract was
reported to be $40 million.
"We intend to provide all services to our citizens throughout cities
and villages," SPLA secretary-general Pagan Amoun said.