South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
By Ngor Arol Garang
April 9, 2011 (WAU)-The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) which became the official army in the oil producing region on Saturday denied reports and allegations suggesting defection of some soldiers from division 4 to Major General Peter Gadet.
The South Sudan government confirmed defection of Major General Peter Gadet in late March saying the senior military officer was granted an official permission allowing him to go to Nairobi, Kenya, but changed the route to Khartoum.
Gadet was a deputy SPLA division three commander in Northern Bahr el Ghazal with headquarters at Wunyiik before he defected. This week security officers from South Sudan government intercepted what was described as a plan by six of his personal guards under 1st Lieutenant Mabany Bol to seek a flight to Khartoum.
SPLA believes this means they want to join Gadet in Khartoum. But the Northern army denied any link to the renegade officer.
“We have reports from their colleagues with whom they used to sleep together in the same rooms in Wunyiik that the bodyguards, especially the officer who was in charge used to talk with Gadet privately during late hours in the night and in the bathrooms and some times in toilet.” said asecurity officer who spoke to Sudan Tribune from Juba on Saturday requesting to remain anonymous.
“We also have reports that the officer held private meetings with only guards belonging to Gadet twice and did not give any convincing statement when he was asked reasons for holding private meetings,” he added.
The officer said nobody will “ever entertain” those wanting to topple the democratically government.
“There will be no questioning of why they did that if proved they were planning to follow the so called Peter Gadet,” said the officer.
“If you reconcile the history of our struggle you will certainly find that there are certain people who like defecting just only for their interest even if they are the most favored in term of assignment. They like switching loyalty from time to time,” said another security officer who also declined to be named.
On Friday the Khartoum-based daily newspaper Al-Intibaha reported that 3,000 soldiers around Unity State from the southern army in division 4 announced crossing to General Gadet in Parieng County.
Reports reaching Sudan Tribune from oil producing southern State of Unity from both official and ordinary people also confirmed defection of some soldiers to General Gadet in areas around Parieng.
“Yes, there are reports that some individual soldiers from the family of General Gadet have defected. I have confirmed this development from some of our SPLA soldiers in Panrieng town that some of the SPLA soldiers from the SPLA Division 4, who have family connections to Peter Gatdet have left, said a member of the State Legislate Assembly in Bentiu, capital of Unity State.”
“Most of these soldiers are believed to be predominantly members of Nuer Bul ethnic group. They shot up their guns and moved out to join Peter Gatdet in an SPLA post nearby Heglig”, said the official who declined to be named.
He said this development has generated a fear in and around Parieng that a curfew has been placed from as early as five o’clock in the evening to seven in the morning.
“This is a massive defection. I do not have figures of how many of them but I am told some soldiers are reported to have left. This is what necessitated placement of curfew in the town,” explained the official.
However, Colonel Phillip Aguer Panyang, spokesman of the SPLA, in an interview with Sudan Tribune denied defection of any SPLA soldier and described the reports as “incorrect and lies.”
“This is not correct. We do not have such information. None of the SPLA soldiers in division 4 has defected. These are just lies. They are only fabrications coined up by Khartoum. There is nothing like that, said Colonel Aguer,” spokesman of the SPLA.
The military officer further said a sensible member of the SPLA who fought against the north will never defect to the north after attaining the objective of why south Sudan took up arms.
“These are baseless and unfounded reports. They are just like some of the lies Khartoum is making against the south through their media. There can never be any single truth about this report because a reasonable member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army who comes from the south will never defect after attaining objectives of why we took up arms against the North, said Colonel Aguer.
(ST)
Acid
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Is it coincident, why number is always exact 3000? When Gen. Ayii defected, he was report to have gone with 3000 SPLA soldiers by Khartoum’s media; and exact number is now claimed to have gone with Gadet by the same media. How credible are they?
Adviser
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Dear Col. Philip
I think you need to tell truth to Nation , not matter of propaganda and aurgument you have been posting here and there.
How could you denied the reality, when the source from the local area of Parieng witness the massive movement of Bul, ethnic group of Nuer tribe according to report.
You must tell us the truth otherwise no body will relies on your informations any more.
It is true that Gatdet could have soilders join him in Bentiu, he is very influencial man who could have followers.
Let Goverment of South Sudan look intot matter serously not just matter of denied what is seen and practical.
Adviser
amon
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
@Adviser
Col.Phillip is right because those who might have defected to Gen. Gadet are not the true SPLA soldiers, those are militias who have no true vision for their people but only to cause trouble and suffering to their people. A true SPLA solider who fought for 21 years to bring peace to his people will not defect at this time.
Those are ignorant militia men that can only listen to ignorant Generals like Gadet. They don’t have future and they don’t even know what they are doing.If they have vision they would commit themselves to dialogue like SPLM/A did in Machakous and Naivasa to bring the CPA.
Let them go and make their people live in refugee camps for another 21 years but we’ll continue to hold on our grounds.
Don’t keep on blaming Co.Phillip, he is doing his job in defending the SPLA.
choldit
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Amon,
I think Adviser is right on this case. For those of us who intend to communicate thru media to citizens of this nation, we must tell the truth regardless of how serious it should be else it should be left to citizens to induce the truth nature of issues in question. If we don’t people may dye because of our ignorance. Parieng and Bentiu in general should be prepared for what come to them.
Coming to wrong believe that there are true and non true SPLA, I think this mentality is a matter of naivity on part of those who use the trem without thinking about its backlash. Who is true SPLA and who is not? of course, I don’t expect any reasonable answer from a healthy mind. But we surely need to be carefully around this junction.
Let us organise our forces to confront the rebels if it is the best option for our leaders else let us be civilise enough to look for political solutions to these rebelliouses by addressing the issues they may put forward.
Thanks for attention!
Omoni jr
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Philiph, Aguer,
That is true,there is no need of anybody to defected against his own brothers and yet we took the arms together against the common enemy of south sudanese. But military prostitute expert like peter Gadet never care about that..
You may released his bodyquards, but put them on probation for six years,and they are not suppose to leave the country or their state where they live.
Born to Achieve
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
A true SPLA soldier who fought for 21 year will not just defect like that,that is true Mr philip unless those visionless & aimless can der to do it.
Those fellows who joined the defector Gatdet are just visionless,ignorant as Amon said,they are just ignorant of the fact that peter is just useing them as a tool just as khartoum is useing him to disstabilize the South before the time.let them return back otherwire they will be a victimes for a useless movement.
Let’s waite soon he will returne to the SPLA on his knee just as the way he usually does,him & his likes.
amon
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
@choldit
Mr Choldit I visit this site many times a day just to get to know how many people think like you, now I have known what you are thinking, but the fact is that there are through SPLA, a true SPLA is a soldier who sacrificed himself/herself to defend the interest of the people of South Sudan, not an individual or tribal interest, a true SPLA is a soldier who can under any command regardless of which tribe, state or county s/he comes from,a true SPLA is a soldier who doesn’t want to bring trouble to his/her people at this time,a true SPLA is man and woman in uniform who is ready to defend this country from any treat or aggression to mention but a few.
What backlash are you talking of? come on!!!
Col.Phillips is not representing a tribe or defending an individual interest. He is representing the SPLA and that is what they are paying him for. Is this your first time to spokesman speaking like that? What about those who were lying in Khartoum for over 21 years?
The fact is that there are rebellions and people are taking sides as we have been seeing it here. What truth do you want to know again?
Akech
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Dear Choldit
this person is using military language but those are civilian so they different, in army you can not say the enemy is there in big number then who will agree to go you can just attention but not everyone to be told about the real situation. so understand military language.
Mr. godfather master of reality
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
The new enemy of southern Sudan is now Dinka’s don’t u know that ? to Amoni
we will never enjoy peace in south until Dinka’s Leadership removed
Makjohnson
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Aguer is best known of his negative comments which he thinks will make him distinguished supporter and mouthpiece of the Dinka’cause. He never been to the field where things are taking place and shamelessly pretend to be denyying what excectly happening on the ground. He is mad as the bacground shown and people donnot know what is the credibility he has to speak on behelp of the SPLA. Let him keep barking and the truth will help out the people of Southern Sudan. Aguer has gone beyond the stage of lier
Makjohnson
Stephen Gatloth K
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Only to the article,Gatloth Gai in Bentiu.
Bentiu will not be a battle field any more,despite the provokative words from SPLA spokeperson Phillipe Aguir.
Gatdet`s defection was not our fualt but,Dinka poor governce is the cuase of his defection.However,no one amongst the Nuer is supporting Gatdet`s decision.Only that the way our brothers Dinka are using very provokative language,described Nuer as looters instead of specific name would be more oil pouring on the fire.
Sincerely speaking,this GOSS`leadership is not convenient enought to approach anger man.It is now 6 years since the CPA was signed that drived us to the current position.That only benefited a specific people who use to said they are SPLM cadres.A good number of SPLA fighters were segregated given a name “Unconfirmed”.Then where do you think can a denied person go to from gov`t that she/he was contructively contributed.
I wonder,y GOSS has came up with decision of recrutement? Y denied those previous SPLA combate and interesting in recruted a new ones? Was it a matter of money that led the SPLA command denied its former soldiers?
Shame on the SPLA leadership of failed to convence and return its defected men.Take care within!!! the made dog does n`t know the owner.
gatbentiutwo
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Please so called Advisor ,
Do not spoiled the name of Bul Nuer clan because no one from them Joint Gatdet nor Spla soldiers from Bul joint peter Gatdet.General Gatdet is spla soldier and defected from Division 3 via Nairobi .how can Bul soldiers from Parieng county to joint him ?what we know is that the SPLA Brigade 22 in Parieng is not for Bul and none of them did not defected to Gatdet.
people of unity state publicly condemn the defection of Gatdet since.let Khartoum media explained who are those 3000 soldiers joined Gatdet.
Aguer panyang has right to denied such baseless reports.
Quol Quot
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Godfather master of reality,
If Dinka managed to defeat Arabs, who else can they not defeat?
Attempting to remove Salva Kiir by force will cause problems that you never predicted. You will regret.
I believe that anybody can have take over power but through fair elections. Any other option will be blood.
Nguetbuny de Luelpiny
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Meaningless of Jaang and Naath naming, make no senses.
Since SPLA was more majorities by Nuer before Bar-elgazal join the movement in masses, except top SPLA leaders were most were Dinka. Nuer would call it Jaang Goss while is run by Naath, argue because Naath& Jaang that does not make sense. We to stop because of Jaang and Nuer, Athor, Ayii, Yauyau are not Nuer.
Let stopped short sign ideology, we needs to be open minded. This time we needs changed in SPLA/M of Good Governed not few that bullying people.
Those who run to North will run back soon when thing heats up in short time there, so do not worry.
SPLA/M has to change their rudderless behaviour against every southern Sudanese who have right in south. We need to be fair to everybody these time and on, Might be Gatdet is send to go Killed Athor Deng as he is alway used as killers agencies by Garang to defect and back later.
Gatdet was a formers Garang bodyguard might have Garang Ideology to murders people. He was send to murders Kuanyin Bol.
Tone of liberators
Nguetbuny
Bol Deng
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Nuer Bull defect to join militia Gatdet, this is not their first time of their nyagatism.
wang
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
It was a good comment you ever made on this web Nguetbuny de Luelpiny. Like what you had said, nobody knows where Gatdet is heading to. Whether he was sent to go and kill someone or not happy with our current government. The majority of the Southerners are still condemning the Peter Gatdet moved and the majority of those were Nuer. This is time for us to judge these rebels individually not by tribe.
AUGUSTINO DENG
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
All Nuer people are the same whether born today or in the past. I don’t think that Nuer people will denied this. Peter Gatdet is nothing, and even if he is given a chairmanship, he will still do nothing. What Peter Gatdet is looking for is not just a leadership, but he is looking for a good position where he will invest himself.
I don’t think whether going to Khartoum is the solution. How many times Peter Gatdet Yak was in Khartoum and he didn’t do anything to Arabs in Khartoum at all. To me, Peter Gatdet is good to go to Khartoum in order to be a servant to the Arabs people. If Nuer always rebel, then why do they need to complaint for a high position. You have to bleed to get the high position, but not just someone else to bleed and then anyone can come claim that he wanted to be given a good position. I condemn this community so call Nuer in Southern Sudan.
By Augustino Deng. Jech la mer from Tharpam.
Raan
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Quol Quot! when Dinka negotiate unity, Nuer,Equotoria, and rest were negotiating self determination of which you enjoy the succession, where is Unity Now? Dead with Garang. during liberation in Nuer land call BILPAM, they Nuer and rest fought started from jikow,nasser, malakal, torit, bentiu, juba the list go on, what arabs you coward defeated with out lotuke,bari,murle,nuer, and rest. what negotiation then, don’t sheet, prepare, you either seek asylums status or remain, ask me after marathons schedule.
second, any accident on VP or our beloved president care, you gang criminal shall consequently answer.
jikany are very keen await.
Raan
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
augustino deng,
good comment for you, all Nuer people are the same even if born today, yes! they are true speakers not lies as dinka do, they are problem solvers not problem creators as dinka, true/fare leadership and not corrupt/self rule leadership as dinka, good service than self dinka, peace lover than ware mingling coward dinka,who ve the following, tribalism, impunity, corruptest ever worldwide, all these rebellion are result of donkas segregation to all southern tribe, reason being advising donkas not to misuse public resource course two think, either hung him-selves or kill you, problem.
Madut Tong
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Dear contributors and readers of this forum,
I realyy urge you not to play jokes on this website which discusses the important issues challenging the emerging State of South Sudan. Those who are involved in rebellion are not one ethnic group, but include the inhabitants of Greater Upper Nile. And here brothers and sisters we should posed and ask ourselves some questions and then proceed to question the efficacy of rebellion in the above mentioned region. So, please let’s work hard together to combat the rebellion in a logical manner not in illogical way, because those who took arms against the elected government are our brothers and sisters, we share everything in this region. this is not to justify their action, I am not marketing there action here, but I want to say that not every Nuer is a traitor, and to be more specific not every one in the tribe of any traitor is a traitor, so please let’s watch over our words and look forward to solve our problems. The second point that I want to make is that, let’s not behave like northerners who used to point fingures on British government to accuse her of Sudan’s problems. if we have our problems let’s face them seriously. My personal view as I observe how the rebellion started in the South, beginning by Gen. George Athor, then David Yauyau, Gatluak Gai, Oliny and then Peter Gadet I came to conclusion that these leaders want to kill our people for their selfish ambitions. Although some of them fought to bring our nation to the place they are now, I see that these leaders do not deserve leadership of any kind in the near or far future of our Country. God bless our nation and lift up our poor people to the standards of excellent leadership for the benefit of our people
Odingo
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
To Quol Quot
Shut up your mouth ya son of bitch, or I will shut your mouth up oneway or another. Can you tell me a single town that was captured from Arabs by you cowardic Dinka? Don,t tell me that fighting for foods in Ethiopia, you Dinka as leading foods warriors should be count as a part of fighting with enemy.
Let me tell you ya coawrd Dinka, the Cities that Nuer together with Equatorians, Shuluk, Murles and some Dinka of Dinka Aweil in Norhtern Bhar El Ghazal captured, are Torit, Kapeota, Nasir, Ayod, Akobo, Wau, Waat, Jokow,Kurmuka. Don,t be a liar my friend. Why don,t you just said those cities were caputred through through the leadership of William Nyuon and Salva Kiir Maryardit for decated their life time to freedom of thier people.
Akook
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Mr Quol Quot.., you are day dreaming brother if you, Kiir’s cousins continue to think that Dinkas’ prestige is just about something to spare in the name of your uncle fools and foods’ admin, then you are wrong.
You people have destroyed the prestige and mighty of Dinka tribe known worldwide thru a government performance far worst that the blinds and deafs could do better than you. You are all just after foods,foods and foods. So pathetic, i can’t blame Southerners who now hate us Dinkas due to your uncle’s poor judgement of all times.
I repeat your days to hide behind the so called, we are all Dinkas, are numbered. We Dinkas will never forever be blackmailed and our names used as escapegoats by natural fools of Warrap state.
No more taking us for a ryde. History will only recognise Central Dinka of Rumbek (Agar.. and the rest of Lakes state) and Eastern Dinka of Bor as the only true genuine Dinkas that the world know about.
San Manyuon
South Sudan Army denies defection of SPLA soldiers to General Gadet
Hello Brothers & Sisters,
I think most of us do enjoy the development going on in our new country today. Like many who response or forwarded their opinions on most of these blocks, I am out side the country, but if we see the level of improvement that we never had in our history, we should say with confident that we’re moving in the right direction. We will be the newest country soon, and would be most recognized because of our effort. It’s a country by blood, and all your votes.
I just don’t understanding why our leaders are fighting each other, engulfing fear among civilians, and killing many innocents for their egocentric issues. Yes, we would never understand why some key leaders fought the Khartoum government over several yrs and to again start another war within. Some are trying to rejoin the government they fought again as this article was saying. They will never succeed.
We’re moving forward, and we should not undermine how much we had come to this level, we are improving and we’re going democratically.
A Lot of us when every they see this opportunity to comment and share inside, instead we rebuke one another, and give support to the enemies of Southern Sudan’s freedom. There’re people who always make comments that are very irritating, tribalic. Comments that plant hatred in our hearts, comments that regenerate how much lost we had done upon ourselves because thousands of life were lost in the hand of our own and many tries to forgive it and charge those life for our freedom, but yet it never go away.
You know what! Where ever you’re right now esp. if you reside outside Southern Sudan, you should know that non of your parents or grand parents, even you had not fought for that very country you’re enjoying freedom and this technology from, and know that country or many wealth and peaceful one did not come to where they’re by night. We’re people, and our country have all the other countries have. We will get there if you don’t see us there now. We’re the newest country for God sake. We currently have our first president and we will have numerous as we peacefully grow. The cemented road is now starting from Juba and by sure if we continue to endorse peace, it would be at your front door. Things come step at a time.
If not dinka where the current president came from, where would it be? The president could be Nuer, Acholi, Bari, Shiluk or from any of the many tribes in Southern Sudan. He has to come some where, right? but what would the others say, same thing don’t you think? So, my brothers who always raise such irritating issues, and try to cause division among Southerners, please think before you come up with such thinking. The president have to come some where in Southern Sudan and if not your tribe, it has to be from the other.
It would not be dinka for ever, it’s just a beginning. Look at America today, could you every had though especially if you know the history and after over 200 years? It’s just a beginning for us.
But if there are mishandling of the government and abusive of power, those have to be clear soon or later. Yes, even the dinkas themselves are in the same box as you’re. We have corruptions and tribal if not clan favoritism, but we’re being patience, everyone would be happy latter as this new found freedom soar.
We all knows that if not his patience all the way to the CPA, and unfortunate death of John Garang, Salva Kiir would not be the president today, but he deserve his patience, he came way from the mid of high commands. If some of the key SPLA leaders such as Karbino, Nyuon Baany, Lam Akol, and even the current vice president did not defected at one point, the president could be among them today. We know their military success and education esp. for Lam and Riek, but they were not patience as Salva. Wani is there, and he is very well known leader. However, Riek, Pagen, Wani and so many are there still in line to be the next leaders if they keep their patience. This will be a democratic country as we saw with the first election a year ago.
But curiously, why do we worry about who the president is, where he came from, or even his level of education, is it just for fame or do we really think that presidents are the wealthiest? Why don’t we all enjoy freedom and investment in this new found peace. Presidents could be the wealthiest in Africa today because they’re not abide by law or they put themselves above the law as others say it. That is not a good leadership by the way if that what you want to be. We will never be satisfied in that country if we don’t think put forth leadership for the people not above the people. Among the 50 or more top wealth leaders or rich people in the world, United State president is not among them. He could be enjoying fame because that came to him constitutionally, and because people are ruling in heart of that fame too, each one is always proud of the leaders before him, and of course as a result of citizens and men in uniform who keep that freedom.
So, brothers, let support freedom, not tribalism, let support peace to endure forever in Southern Sudan.