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By Ngor Arol Garang
December 20, 2010 (ABYEI) — At least 12 people have been confirmed dead in what appears to be a surprised and renewed military confrontation between forces belonging to Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and armed elements identified as loyal to General George Athor.
- General George Athor’s representatives to All South Sudan Parties Conference, Dok James Puok (centre) Abraham Thon (left) and Abiel Ring (right), in Juba, south Sudan, Oct. 19 2010 (ST)
General George Athor was one of the most respected and influential senior military officers of the SPLA, rebelled against the regional government, after the incumbent governor of Jonglei State Kuol ManyangJuuk, declared winner last April.
The general who had previously failed to get the party’s approval of his candidacy for the Governor of Jonglei accused officials from the south Sudan government led by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) of fraud and vote rigging.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune on Monday from his base in the extreme northwestern part of Jonglei, in an area close to Malakal town, Capital of the Upper Nile State, Athor accused the SPLA of attacking his forces twice over the weekend.
"The SPLA forces from Khorliet and Khorwac launched two attacks on our forces on Saturday and Sunday, he said.
"This was part of organized attempt to execute orders (given by Juba) that some of my senior commanding officers and I should be captured alive and killed at the meeting we had recently with a delegation sent by president of the government of south Sudan to meet me," he stressed.
However the plot failed because he had been already informed about it before the meeting took place, he claimed.
"We were already getting enough information about this plan. We had the information of when and where they would initiate and launch an attack which they had planned to advance to the venue of the meeting," said Athor
The Southern Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit,earlier this month issued a presidential decree to tasking a committee to discuss with the renegade to ways end his rebellion. The committee headed by Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan.
Last October Kiir already granted an amnesty to Athor and his soldiers as well as other officers from the Other Armed Groups (OAGs) in southern Sudan aiming at uniting southerners ahead of a self determination referendum in January.
Athor accused individuals he did not name of being behind the attack on his forces, a charge some of the senior members of the southern ruling party were quick to deny and accused him of spreading unfounded allegations.
Biar Atem, an official from the government of south Sudan, in an interview with Sudan Tribune from Juba described the statement as "incorrect and backtracking statement".
"Nobody had the plan to arrest or kill George Athor. Everybody support peaceful dialogue initiated by South Sudan president, so he should stop giving out unnecessary and incorrect statements to the media," said Atem in a seemingly angry voice.
"There are no people plotting against him instead it is him backtracking efforts of South Sudan President to bring peace and unity of all South Sudanese including him and other traitors," he emphasized.
The official said all south Sudanese commended Kiir’s decision to pardon the rebel general and other forces.
"If you were in Juba in October and personally attended an all South Sudan Political Parties Conference held at Nyakuron cultural center, you might have observed how the whole conference commended decision of the president. This was also reflected in the resolutions passed after the conduct of the conference. If there were people opposed to the decision, it would have been observed," explained Atem.
However, Abiel Riing Majak, a member of the delegation representing General Athor in the ongoing discussions refuted Atem’s statements adding they have information that minister of internal affairs in the government of south Sudan, General Gier Chuang Aluong and incumbent governor of Jonglei State, Kuol Manyang Juuk where behind the recent attack.
"We are told that Gier Chuang Aluong was in Atar when the SPLA forces launched two consecutive attacks. It was him and Governor Kuol who were organizing these attacks through SPLA command forces in Juba to the local command."
Majak went to say that the two officials who are from Jonglei state had planned to capture Athor during a meeting with the delegation sent by Salva Kiir. He also accused them of attacking another rebel officer, David Yauyau who is in Pibor.
He said SPLA forces in Khorliet were part of the plan launched an attack on Saturday while forces in Khorwac reinforced the second attack on Sunday. Some 12 SPLA soldiers were killed and eight others wounded during the weekend attacks.
"We have reports that none of our soldiers has died in the attack. No one has been injured as well but 12 people on the side of the SPLA were killed and eight others sustained injuries and are currently in Malakal town," he said.
Colonel Philip Aguer Panyang, official spokesperson of the SPLA in an interview with Sudan Tribune from Juba confirmed the clash and described it as "sad and unfortunate development"
"Yes, I have heard of the clash. It is sad and unfortunate development and I cannot give out any detail now because I do not have enough information, said senior military officer," adding that he was out of the town.
"I have just returned from a trip. I was out of the town so give me some time to gather enough information about this incident," Aguer told Sudan Tribune from Juba.
The clash occurred three days after the South Sudan delegation comprising archbishop of Episcopal Church of Sudan, Daniel Deng Bul and Roman Catholic Bishop of Wau Dioces; Rudolf Deng Majak met and held talks with General Athor in his base.
The weekend fighting occurred two weeks before the run of a referendum on South Sudan independence. The renegade general previously said he does not want to hinder the historical vote.
(ST)
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