“I was not attacked”: Dr. Lam debunks rumors he was targeted in Khartoum

JUBA – Prominent South Sudanese opposition leader Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin has denies speculations that he was the target of an attack at a traditional function in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, where his phone was allegedly stolen.

Social media activists have been circulating claims that Akol was attacked at a function by gangs hired by National Security Service operatives and lost his phone as people who were attending the Shilluk cultural function at Soba Hela.

In a statement, Akol who is the chairperson of National Democratic Movement (NDM) denied the claim and said the function was interrupted by the criminals with an intention to loot women’s jewelry and other valuable and as such he was not the target.

“There have been a lot of stories making the rounds in the net about what happened yesterday in Soba Hilla, some of which are quite sensational. The truth is that I was not attacked nor did anyone target the platform I was talking on,” he said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

“There was a Chollo Cultural function at the Soba Youth Club in which I was the guest of honor. I was sitting next to Rev Fr Joseph John Okony who delivered a lecture on education and to Bucay Okony who was the patron of the occasion,” he added.

“As I went to speak, I left my mobile on the table with the Reverend. While speaking he left the place but gave the phone to one of the organizers who happened to be a member of his church. My guards were all with me around the platform.

“While I was speaking there arose a commotion outside the club not far from the gate where the police was on guard. This was caused by the so-called ‘Niggers’. The noise drew the attention of those present, especially the women who started to leave in noticeable numbers.

“When I was concluding my speech, they had just managed to break in but headed straight to where the women were with an eye to loot jewelry and mobile phones among other things. The organizers closed the function and they escorted me into my car which was inside the club. Then I was driven away.

“I was not attacked and if that was the intention they would have come straight to the platform where I was. My mobile was not on me because as mentioned above it was with someone else. It is well known in Khartoum that these Niggers are notorious for spoiling any social occasion whether marriage, rally or even mourning occasions. This incident carried the hallmarks of previous ones.

“I am aware of the sinister plans that were being hatched against the leaders of NDM but we took out precautions and those who think they can make attempts on the lives of others must remember that they also have their lives to protect.”