Sudanese soldiers die in rebel attacks

Attacks ahead of fresh peace talks

The military in Sudan has denied claims by the Sudan People's Liberation Army, SPLA, to have killed a total of 175 government soldiers in three days of fighting in the south of the country.

The SPLA had, in a statement issued in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, said their forces had attacked a convoy of 12 river warships travelling along the upper reaches of the Nile (between Tonga and Barbie) ten days ago.

Two of the warship steamers were destroyed and 150 soldiers killed, they said.

Garang wants greater autonomy for south

On Friday, the authorities in the capital Khartoum admitted the attack had taken place but said only two soldiers were killed.

Peace plan

An army officer quoted by the Associated Press news agency said that "many SPLA soldiers were killed" but could not confirm the attack on the barges.

In a separate clash, the rebel statement said 25 militia members were killed near the town of Pam El Seraph.

There has been no independent confirmation of the fighting.

The upsurge in fighting comes just as the two sides are preparing for fresh peace talks in Nairobi on Monday to end 18 years of war.

Autonomy

Hundreds of thousands of people have died, mainly from famine in the south.

An estimated four million people are displaced or have sought refuge in neighbouring countries or far field.

In August this year the Sudanese government accused the rebels of rejecting an earlier peace plan brokered by both Libya and Egypt.

Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives to famine in the south

That initiative called on the two parties to set up a committee leading to a national reconciliation conference.

The plan also called for constitutional reforms and a transitional government.

The SPLA are fighting for greater autonomy for the south.

Earlier this month, President George W Bush appointed John Danforth as a peace envoy with the job of bringing the two Sudanese sides together.