South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
June 3, 2010, (TURALEI) – The Southern Sudan army (SPLA) clashed with a renegade Colonel in Unity State killing eight of his men and pledged to crash his rebellion.
Colonel Galuak Gai is one of three SPLA officers who rebelled last April contesting the results of April elections. They accused the southern Sudan ruling party of rigging the elections. The three also said coordinating their fight against Juba government.
“Our forces have on Tuesday clashed with forces loyal to former southern police colonel, Galuak Gai, south west of Mayom County, killing eight of his men and are still following him with instructions to capture him dead or alive,” SPLA spokesperson, General Kuol Deim Kuol, told Sudan Tribune, on Thursday.
They are now in what he described as “hot pursuit” of Galuak. “He will be captured dead or alive,” stressed General Kuol.
“Our forces learned he was in the area and so they ambushed him (Colonel Galuak Gai) with his forces yesterday and immediately killed eight of his men and we captured 13, he said.
The official spokesperson admitted that one the SPLA forces had been killed.
“On our side, I have information that one comrade has been lost in the fight and two others sustained light injuries but our forces are determined to pursue him militarily,” he said.
An army official said they are determined to fight the rebel groups that emerged after the elections.
“I do not see what will help them survive hot operations we are launching on them. There is no room for them in the south unless they surrender or fly because sky is the limit,” said an angry military logistics officer, Major Peter Both Hoth from Bentiu, capital of Unity State.
“They cannot operate in the presence of our forces anywhere in the south,” he added.
Locals interviewed by Sudan Tribune said fearing of possibilities that may be caused by these sporadic clashes in the south interfering with the conduct of southern referendum scheduled to take place in January 2011.
The military protest and clashes generated by the recently conducted elections are allegedly encouraged by the northern Sudan army. SPLM and SPLA officials accuse the northern Sudan army of arming militias to destabilize the south before the referendum. But the Sudan Armed Forces denied the claims.
Kuol disputed allegations that colonel Gai is coordinating with the former General, George Athor, who turned rebel after losing in April polls.
“All militia leaders report directly to national intelligence services in Khartoum,” he said.
The spokesperson further confirmed arrest of the two SPLA officers on June 1 allegedly suspected of trying to recruit for David Yauyau of Jonglei, one of the militia leaders’ allied with Gen. Athor.
“They are suspected of trying to recruit people to go and join Yauyau,” he said. They may be released if the investigation shows nothing.”
(ST)
murlescrewed
South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
This is an interesting development. SPLA is reacting harshly to those trying to copycat Gen Athor with the hope of deterring further spread of this uncoordinated rebellion. As long as innocent civilians are not put at risk, I think it is time for the SPLA to take on those trying to spread insecurity and chaos in the South ahead of the referendum. While the behavior of SPLM leadership has been frustrating, it is time to put the problems of the elections behind and move forward as a united people.
Mabior Ayuen Dengajok
South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
Unity state must really works hard to restored it state name diginity, “the Unity State” the state governor and the Juba government can help solves the internal conflict that is pushing development away from reaching it people, once conflict is over, people can finds it safer to conducts their businesses without any further fears.
It’s not only concern of Unity state, it also have great impact on other states because we have interlinks that bonds us together economics, tourist, moral stability and other key importance and. So Unity be your name!!!
Aturjok
South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
The same wrath should be unleashed against former hero turned zero renegade Athor since he’s pretty much the problem. Doing so will send the clear message to those out there who are contemplating of disturbing the peace. Had the SPLA done so against Athor Col. Galuak would have not emulated the same move. It doesn’t make sense to turn against Col. Gai while Athor roams free.
Kur William
South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
Well done SPLA defend forces we don,t have any compromise with those who are trying to take the laws into their own hand whoever seems to be rebellion in Southern Sudan or impose any kind of threats to citizen will face a difficult consequences otherwise we are not play with our right.
Just boys keep up your work was really appreciated by major of Sudanese people you just do whatever you can do kill them or capture them alive by military means we don,t want to see Athor Deng, YauYau David,and Gatluak Gai else where in south if they do not render themselves to the GOSS base in Juba are behind you thanks.
Gatwech
South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
Dear readers,
This coward general called Kuol Deim Kuol is the most stupid and confused spokesman I have ever heard.
Last time he called Colonel Gatluak Gai a militia sent from Khartoum to fight in the South.
Today he admitted that he is former police Colonel in the South and yet refused to agree that he coordinated with Gen. George Athor.
Kuol prefers to call a Nuer a militia like the case of their police officer, Gatluak Gai, but refuses to call George Athor a militia. This is nothing but the behaviour of stupidity at play.
Well, Kuol has confirmed that they have arrested two SPLA officers from Murle community in Jonglei state. Ahahahahahahaaaaaaa………
This direction of pursuing war by SPLA will soon backfire. They are doing it the wrong way and may soon engulf the whole South.
Lying that only one person was killed when more than ten are killed from the SPLA side will not solve the problem. The soldiers know it and that is why they refuse to fight in Jonglei against George Athor.
These Abyei strangers in the South such as Kuol Deim Kuol, Luka Biong, Pieng Deng and Deng Alor (all do not miss the name Deng of that sell-out chief of Abyei) will soon regret what they are doing.
Look, Deng Alor has signed an agreement that betrays southerners with that so-called Salah Gosh, to pursuade southerners to vote for unity.
Shame on you people. Ngundeng will soon take care of most of you unless you repent.
Akuma
South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
SPLA Oyee! go ahead with your operation. We don’t want traitors in Southern Sudan, So bring their heads only to SPLA headquarters Bilpam to be witness by Southerners as you are the shield of the country and to be a good lesson to the rest those who want to betray us during referendum;
Dr. Akuma,
USA
Sudan virus
South Sudan army kills eight rebels in Unity State, pledges to crash them
Crash them all.
This time never sympthazy with the captives. Slaughter them.