South Sudan (Republic of): Landmines hamper farming in Upper Nile

(2nd May, 20130 – Landmines planted by anti-government forces are hampering farming in Manyo County in Upper Nile State, Commissioner Gai Lul said.

“We are requesting assistance from demining groups to come in at least to clear the area,” Mr Lul told Radio Miraya.

He said the landmines have been impeding cultivation for the last two years. The armed groups were loyal to Johnson Uliny, a beneficiary of a recent president pardon.

Uliny’s roughly 500-strong militia force was operating in Kaka, Magenis and Hamra, but the army said the group has not responded to the pardon so far, the commissioner said.