282 Rebels Surrender To SPLA 28 January 2014 By Gabriel Mayom *RUMBEK, January 28, 2014 (Gurtong) -* At least 282 armed men who defected to the anti-government forces loyal to former vice president Riek Machar have surrendered themselves to the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in Unity State, a state official said.
The rebels under the care of the military intelligence in Unity State's Military barrack are being investigated.. According to Unity State deputy Governor Mabek Lang, 250 armed soldiers who defected with their Division Four Commander Maj-Gen James Koang Chuol have returned to SPLA after days in jungle without success to overthrow South Sudan's government. "Many of them did not have destructive intentions and are welcomed back," said Mabek. "We have received 250 on Thursday and 32 also surrendered on Friday. We welcome them back. The military is taking care of those army personnel who put down their arms." South Sudan's military intelligence said that movement of another defected Maj-Gen Peter Gadet Yaak is being followed closely with his activities. A senior army officer who requested for anonymity said: "Gadet appears to be in Leer with an aim to mobilize youth in Leer to fight the government but unfortunately youth and community leaders are avoiding him." "We appreciate Unity state's leaders for their support to the SPLA. We will protect them. If we want to kill Gadet, it is easy but we need him to surrender. Otherwise, he will face (a) tough decision." The SPLA forces secured Bentiu, the capital of Unity State this month after defeating the rebel forces led by defector Maj. Gen. Koang. SPLA has also witnessed surrender of rebels in Bor town which was recently captured with the help of Ugandan troops. In his Friday message to the nation, President Salva Kiir urged the rebels to respect the ceasefire and stop fighting because the current crisis can only be solved through dialogue. South Sudan's Army Spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said some deserters who want to return are welcome, saying some defected for the fear of the unknown. "We welcome those soldiers returning back to SPLA army, in fact there were those soldiers who joined the rebellion due to fear of unknown. Some joined when they saw a colleague joining but the aim is not clear. They are welcome back to join the service of the nation, " Aguer said. Posted in: Home<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/1/Home.aspx> , Governance<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/6/Governance.aspx> , Featured Stories<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/137/Featured-Stories.aspx> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14op-m7ZyUV6eN9ZuiJwKEJKwOrmW--LNMDO8Ye397UujWg%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
