Southern Army clears post election rebellion in Unity state

By Ngor Arol Garang

June 8, 2010 (TURAELEI) — The Sudan people’s Liberation Army (The SPLA) has on Tuesday said it militarily cleared remnants of the forces allegedly loyal to former southern police officer who turned rebel after April elections, Colonel Gatluak Gai in the southern state of unity.

Colonel Gai whose forces have been on a run following an increase in military engagements recently, by southern army against his men, clashed again with SPLA forces, North West of Mayom County, unity state, on Monday 7, killing 21 members of his loyalists and captured 32 others.

General Kuol Deim Kuol, SPLA spokesperson in Juba said his forces have completely cleared post election rebellion in southern state of Unity and pledged readiness to defend local population in the area against any aggression by armed groups inside southern territory.

“Our forces have cleared remnants of colonel Gai. They do no longer exist in southern territory. Gai escaped with few of his loyalists and is currently outside SPLA controlled territories,” General Kuol said adding his forces remain ready for any military engagement should he return as a rebellion army.

“He is out of the SPLA controlled areas. He is said to have run northward of Mayom County to no man land. That area is a complete bush under Joint integrated units. It is not SPLA territory,” he said.

William Twil, an ex- Unity state advisor who is likely to maintain the same advisory position, in the upcoming government, confirmed the clash and seconded military option, saying it is a resort of attempts to bringing peaceful settlement to post elections grievances.

“Nobody had wanted a military option but situation created by individuals has brought it. What is the reason of killing your own people while there are best ways to settle differences,” he asked.

Major Peter Both, SPLA logistics officer, in Unity state capital of Bentiu equally confirmed clash between southern army and forces loyal to renegade police officer.

“They have clashed again yesterday and our forces have cleared them off,” he said.

“They were badly defeated; they also captured additional members from them this time and now out of SPLA controlled areas,” he said adding that the southern army will not tolerate groups with intention to creating instability.

The SPLA will not tolerate groups operating outside legal system using arms to destabilize security of our people. They will be militarily confronted to show them where they belong as our forces have shown them today, Major Peter confidently said.

Three former leading members of the southern Sudan army rebelled after April elections accusing GOSS authorities of rigging their vote.

General george Athor Deng who is in Jonglei, General Gatluak Gai of SPLA, in Unity state, and David Yauyau of Pibor, said last week they are coordinating their activities in the areas.

General Kuol said SPLA forces outside Malakal town; have on Sunday 06, clashed with armed groups accused to have been behind the killing of Shilluk Paramount chief, Peter Oyath, in Panyikang County, Upper Nile State, in May 22, 2010.

“Our forces clashed with SPLM-DC affiliated armed group not far away from Malakal international airport. They fought North West of the airport, exactly west of river Nile.

They have killed seven of their members and have captured alive three of their members with arms, General Kuol said. “These people have been the cause of recent insecurity in the town and beyond,” he adds.

(ST)