UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
May 12, 2010 (JUBA) – The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has pledged to mediate peace between the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the renegade Lt. General George Athor Deng.
In a statement to Reuters today, the general Athor said he had been contacted by a UN official offering him to broker a deal with southern Sudan government.
The meeting discussed the possibility of halting the crisis by reaching a peaceful settlement to the ongoing clashes in the troubled Jonglei state through negotiations with Athor.
The UN team briefed the Vice President about their ongoing phone contacts with Gen. George Athor whom they said was expressing willingness to negotiate with the government.
The delegation expressed UN’s readiness to provide logistical support for the process.
Dr. Machar appreciated the efforts the UN team has exerted in their direct contacts with Gen. Athor, but however said the government would first make further consultations and review the situation before he could promise a decision to the UN body.
A follow up joint meeting between the government and UNMIS representatives is expected to take place in the next few days in order to try to agree on the way forward.
Nobody knows the exact location of Gen. Athor who is generally known to be hiding in thick forests somewhere in the north-western part of Jonglei state.
Gen. George Athor was formerly the SPLA Deputy Chief of General Staff for Political and Moral Orientation. He has been accused by the government of carrying out deadly attacks on SPLA forces after losing the gubernatorial contest as an independent candidate in Jonglei state.
He initially denied the accusation directly implicating him but appreciated the Doleib Hill incidence which he explained had internally occurred as a result of his defense.
He was recently quoted in the media as demanding the sacking of the incumbent governor-elect, Kuol Manyang Juuk, as one of his preconditions for any negotiations with the government.
Athor said he had clashed with SPLA on Monday for the second time and threatened to attack an important town if the assault on his forces persists.
“We are organizing our forces in all areas and we are going to converge in Bor….attacking Bor” Athor told Reuters adding that he is willing to negotiate.
The state’s governor-elect, Kuol Manyang Juuk, was also quoted as warning that an attack on Bor town would amount to a rebellion by Gen. Athor and that the government would not allow it to happen.
“Yes, the State has no forces of its own, but is being defended by the SPLA – by the government of southern Sudan against anybody who takes arms against the nation,” Kuol Manyang noted.
(ST)
Grader
Athor is feeling the heat!
In less than 24 hours Athor have been talking mediation.
SPLA is not a joke …SPLA Oyee
John Awan
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
That is a good initiative on the part of UNMIS
Gat nyaraan
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
that is good news UNIMIS thanks for the intervention. i mentioned that yesterday any institution whether local cheifs, elders, any government official who have a better negotiation skills Rather than kiir who fail miserably should be given a chance to try with Athor.i mentioned that if there is any regional or international organization which can intervene that will be good and now it seems what i hoped for have come to reality.
kalkada
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
I wander what position will the GOSS offer to General Athor?
I wander what the Goss would react, if General Athor wasn’t from (Dinka or Nuer)?
is it a free pass for outlaw General Athor? because few weeks back he denied that he was involve in any rebillion. what actually is going on?
Gat nyaraan
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
the fighting that occured in the dolib hills and subsequently in places like thoudiak, and coutier was unfortunate. that incident reveals many showcomings of leaders in the SPLM and GOSS.
First of all it shows how kiir ‘s leadership was very poor in settling local isues peacefully.general George Athor has talked at least three times to kiir to settle the dispute but only ended in failure. how come George Athor is a well general in the SPLA and am sure they he is as well a close associate of kiir during the war and thereafter how come he can’t convince him. poor Salva Kiir.
during that incident a lot of beans was spilling a very where and the old rivalry between Athor and kuol from one hand and Gier Chuong was interjected.untill today ,athor is not comfortable and always in dispute with kuol and Chuong.
the smartest and mastermind who refuse to be played was Dr. Machar. he was asked to go and convince George Athor to lay down arms. but Dr.Riek told those hyenas what will i give him(Athor) as an incentive? there was non. so he suggested another option instead of going alone he must go with KUol manyang , Gier chuong, Luka buong Deng, Lual Diing wol. what did the cowards said? they refuse to go.
another dangerous development was when they asked general peter Gatdet Yaka to go and subdue Athor and bring to juba, but he refuse to go. i think he sensed to himself if jonglei want to mess up their home its their business let them deal with it. so they(the inside incompetent kiir boys) plotted to send him to Ethiopa for a military course, but he saw how manipulative that offer was so he didnt want to go. then they try to assassinate him this happen on may 9.
when commander Gatdet was coming back from Bilpam he found some military unit near his house in juba and as soon as they saw him coming with his body guards they drop away cowardly without firing a bullet. that could have have been the downfall of the cowards.
DASODIKO
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
Historically the rebelions are known to start with one or two pieces of arm. Its better not to cover the fire with ash, Kiir must listen to this guy he might have a POINT. I am not supporting any cauous in South Sudan at this time!!!!!!!!!!! So what will this peace be called that is mediated by the UN? JPA Jongolei Peace Agreement”? gOD save Sudan from somalization.
Jupiter Maguangdit
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
Dear readers,
I sometimes hate to read this website because of those who behave like the people of the ‘Stone Age’. This is not the time to support any wrong doer because he/she is my relative. Supporting George Athor, Kuol Manyang, Salva Kiir and their likes at this particular time is completely wrong.
Salva and his political bureau were the first to commit the mistake during the selection of candidates. Kuol Manyang, Paul Malong, Taban Deng, Clement Wani and Nunu Kumba were not supposed to be reselected.
My advice to those who still say SPLA Oyee is as follows:
1) During the April elections, the SPLA behaved like a new Jallaba to the people of Southern Sudan and I want all of you and your Gen. Kiir to look into this.
2) Kiir should immediately dismiss all his advisers and security agents in all ten states because they do not report the facts to their chief about malpractices being done by the state governors and government officials partly because they are involved and party because they are bribed by those corrupt leaders.
3) Kiir should also remove Pagan Amum, Kuol Deim, and Yen Mathew from their current positions because the way they talk is premature. By doing this, Kiir will save the people of the south from the disaster of fire that is fueled by the tongues of these guys.
Regarding Athor’s rebellion, let the SPLM leadership handle it with wisdom and not by the use of force as some of you have already supported using the killing slogan of SPLA Oyee.
Brooke Obe
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
All these talks of negotiations would be unnecessary were the SPLM to allow open, free and fair election to take place. But some people in the PB did not want their ego to be challenged by the independent but popular candidates like Gen Athor. Southerners are now paying with their own blood for the arrogance of these SPLM officialdom. It is self-inflicted pain by the SPLM; it is learning time. I repeat, those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it: Mr John Akec put it elsewhere very plainly to the SPLM leadership. To avoid even more Athors in future, the SPLM should embark on reconciliation with the aggrieved independent candidates who are many. If they do not heed these advice given in this forum, because they are full of hubris, then the future of the South in the hands of the bungling SPLM is bleak indeed. The American Congress today predicted a genocide in South Sudan after the referendum. With Athor lurking in the bush, and many more to follow, this is not an idle talk.
May God bless Southern Sudanese.
Gatluak Latjor
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
George Athor has entered into the black book of southern sudan-The book that lists all those southern sudanese who became blockage(traitors) at times Southern sudanese are about to succeed and move forward in unity.
Mr.C.D
UN to mediate peace between Gen. Athor and South Sudan
All Padang people should stand with their brother Gen Athor Deng because Makuei Lueth fuckin Bor is refused to negotiated with Athor. Now it is Bor vs Padang war.