Home page | News Tuesday 4 October 2011
Two rebels killed in Jonglei as South Sudan army say situation under control
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October 3, 2011 (BOR/JUBA) — At least two people have been reportedly
killed in a clash between police and rebel forces loyal to George
Athor Deng in Jonglei, but the army however assured the situation is
under full control.
JPEG - 25.4 kb
SPLA soldiers (file/Reuters)
The commissioner of Ayod county in Jonglei state, James Thoi Chany,
told Sudan Tribune that police forces killed two rebels in a clash
that displaced many civilians in Wuidang village on 26 September.
In statements he made on Monday James Thoi said that some patients
were among those who fled the clashes. They were receiving treatment
in the hospital but they are now without medical supplies, he
regretted.
Athor rebelled against the Government of South Sudan after losing the
gubernatorial election in Jonglei against Kuol Manyang Juuk in 2010,
in what he claimed to be a rigged vote.
He was a major general in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. There
are allegations that he has been involved in smuggling in the state.
In January 2011 Athor signed a ceasefire yet in February his forces
were involved in a 200 casualty “massacre”. In July the president of
South Sudan, Salva Kiir offered Athor and other rebels an amnesty.
James Thoi said more than 20 luaks, traditional structures to house
cattle, have been burnt down and many houses were looted by rebels in
Wuidang.
The commissioner said that more than 1,500 troops from Athor’s South
Sudan Army operated in three groups. One near Ayenkou village in Duk
county and two in Luapol and Yen; both in Ayod.
He pointed out that villagers fear an imminent second attack from
Athor’s forces.
However, the South Sudan army, SPLA, played down the impact of the
clashes stressing it was limited and quickly controlled.
Speaking from Juba, SPLA spokesperson Phillip Aguer Panyang said that
there has been no fighting taking place but that there are reports of
three people carrying arms in the area.
"The security situation there is stable", Aguer told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
He further said that SPLA forces have already been dispatched to the
area and will arrive on Tuesday morning.
He said reports from local authorities on the ground named three armed
individuals on 3 0ctober but that their presence in the area is
neither harmful nor a security threat.
He said civilians who were recruited and trained by Athor had been
assimilated into their communities when the SPLA defeated the rebel
group in March.
Deng Chol, a member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in the
area said in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Monday that Athor "has
even issued an ultimatum yesterday to anyone carrying a gun in the
three counties to voluntarily join him or face the music in the next
few days."
Chol said the situation is unclear adding that rumors say that Athor
plans to attack more counties in the state.
(ST)
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