General Dau dismisses defection of SPLA forces in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

By Ngor Arol Garang

May 4, 2010 (WUNROK, Warrap) — General Dau Aturjong Nyuol, who contested April poll independently against SPLM official nominee, incumbent Governor Paul Malong Awan, in the southern state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, has on Tuesday dismissed allegations linking him with elements accused to have rebelled within southern army in the state.

On Tuesday, news emerged from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state suggesting rebellion of anonymous Brigadier General reportedly suspected to have supported allegations linking General Athor to have been behind recent attack on SPLA base at Doleib hills, 12 kilometers south west of Malakal town, capital of Upper Nile State.

Doleib hills area is at contested territory between Dinka Luac of Jonglei and Shilluk of Upper Nile State. It has witnessed reprisal attacks between the two tribes over claims of land ownership in the past. The recent attack on SPLA base on Friday 30 April, occurred in presence of the General Athor at his ancestral village of rut, hence making authorities from regional capital of Juba believe he was behind the attack.

However, General Athor, in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Saturday denied any involvement in the attack. “I did not order any attack anywhere and I had never held any meeting with anybody to consider launching attack on military forces, General Athor said in a satellite telephone interview from his ancestral village of Rut.

Athor was allegedly angered by the announcement of the recently conducted April polls which came out in favor of SPLM candidate, Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk.

Reacting to allegations of rebellion within SPLA, General Dau who spoke to Sudan Tribune from Khartoum, said he was equally surprised to receive news of rebellion within southern army in northern Bahr el Ghazal. It was surprising and hurting to hear such allegations.

I was also surprised receiving calls and interviews about news that a Brigadier General suspected to have supported accusations about attack involving Lieutenant General George Athor Deng, has acted under my instructions, Dau said challenging those involved in spreading such allegations to name this Brigadier General and proof that he was acting under his instructions.

“I challenge those fabricating such information to disclose name of the Brigadier General that has acted under my instructions,” he said calling on citizens of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and his comrades at arms never to waste time listening to allegations he described as unfounded.

“These are fabricated, baseless and unfounded allegations. They do not bear any single truth,” Dau said urging Southern Sudanese particularly citizens of Northern Bahr el Ghazal to deal with these allegations in the same way they have treated previously allegations. “How many times have I been accused and have there been proofs of any involvement,” he asked.

He equally accused some elements within South Sudan to have been involved in divisive propaganda.

“There are elements who feel uncomfortable with popularity of other people. These people have long been the cause of tribal division and conflicts in the south. They feel insecure in the south and in their home villages because records of their behaviors are no new to people,” he explained.

(ST)