Ryer/Thar Jath

2 May 1999
Attack at night on the camp where the oil workers sleep (Ryer/Thar Jath). Summarily executing three Sudanese government employees.
Perpetrator: SSDF forces of Riek Machar
Reference: The scorched earth: oil and war in Sudan, p 2; HRW 2003: 3, 67, 203, 209, 224, 390, 438-40, 442-3, 448-9; Riek Machar, interview, August 8, 2000; Employee of security consultant to oil company, interview, September 8, 1999; “Sudanese army confirms defection of ally, says he hijacked boat,” AFP, Khartoum, May 28, 1999; Harker report, p. 50; Human Rights Watch interview, Talisman officials, February 3, 2000) Cmdr. Tito Biel’s SSDF forces hit the camp where the oil workers slept at Ryer/Thar Jath at about 2:00 or 3:00 a.m., most likely on May 2. A small SSDF contingent executed two government employees. The third died of his injuries while being evacuated to Bentiu that same day. Employee of security consultant to oil company, interview, September 8, 1999; HRW 2003: 67, 207; “Armed Forces Spokesman Issues Statement”, SUNA, Khartoum, May 5, 1999; “Rebels reportedly targeting oil facilities in the south and east,” IRIN, Nairobi, May 6, 1999; “Sudan army says rebels attack oil installations,” Reuters, Khartoum, May 5, 1999; Alfred Taban, “Calm reported restored in oil-rich Sudan state,” Reuters, Khartoum, May 9, 1999; “Pro-government Sudanese militia commander defects to SPLA,” AFP, Khartoum, May 17, 1999; Alfred Taban, “Sudan group reports more clashes in oil-rich state,” Reuters, Khartoum, May 11, 1999; Alfred Taban, “Pro-government militias clash over oil with Sudan army,” Reuters, Khartoum, May 6, 1999; HRW 2003: 209; Letter, Dr. Riek Machar, Assistant Vice President and Chairman of the Coordinating Council, to President Omar El Bashir, Khartoum, May 25, 1999; “Khartoum accused of violating peace accord,” AFP, Khartoum, May 21, 1999; Christine Batruch, Lundin Oil AB, letter to Human Rights Watch, September 11, 2000, from Geneva to Washington, D.C. 1340 Lundin Oil report, “Lundin Oil: Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2000,” February 23, 2001; Affärer i Blod och Olja, p 6