Unity state receives former rebels after South Sudan amnesty
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
October 20, 2010 (BENTIU)- The Unity State government received three Khartoum-backed southern generals, who recently reconciled themselves with the government of southern Sudan on Tuesday.
The amnesty was mainly aimed at generals who had rebelled from the SPLA after April’s elections. However, he also reached out to militias who receive support from Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party.
The political branch of the SPLA, the SPLM, signed a peace deal with the NCP in 2005 ending over two decades of civil war. The deal agreed that the south would have the chance to become an independent country in a plebiscite due to begin 9 January 2011.
Earlier this month Maj. Gen. Gabrielle Tangiye who had led a militia backed by Khartoum joined the SPLM after meeting President Kiir in Juba.
Tanginye led Tuesday’s reconciliation trip to Unity state with Gen. Mabor Dhol and Gen. Bapiny Monytuel Wijang.
The security advisor for Unity state Chieng Jiek Geay told the rally that welcomed the militia leaders on Tuesday that the gathering was important to prepare for the southern referenda. The oil rich region of Abyei will also vote on whether it wishes to join the north or south.
He repeated President Kiir’s call for the south to unite before the votes.
Tanginye has welcomed the greater role being played by President Kiir for calling for forgiveness among warring parties South Sudan.
The general said he joined the SPLA at the start of the civil war but had left over disagreements with the leadership of the movement.
The way people in Unity state had welcomed him was a sign of real peace he said.
Tanginye promised to work hard for southerners remaining in in Khartoum and northern Sudan to move to the south ahead of the referendum, due to begin 9 January 2011.
Governor of Unity state, Lt. Gen. Taban Deng Gai, has worked hard to return southern Sudanese from the north, according to Tanginye.
Gai told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that it was important for all Southern Sudanese to resolve their problems before the referendum, after which the South could become a new independent country.
He said that despite some northern politicians hinting that the vote should be delayed, the vote would go ahead on January 9 as agreed in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Gai warned that the breaking up a demonstration advocating for separation, who had interrupted an NCP-organised demonstration for unity, was a violation of the CPA.
Pro-unity advocates were welcome in south Sudan he said and campaign and not be interfered with by authorities.
The governor said he intended to communicate with the Khartoum and South Kordofan state governors to ask that youth campaigners were respected before and after the referenda.
He welcomed the decision made by the President Kiir to reach out to his “brother” Tanginye.
The amnesty was also extended to Lt. Gen. George Athor, Lt. Gatluk Gai, David Yau Yau
who rebelled against the government after April’s elections.
(ST)
Young Nation
Unity state receives former rebels after South Sudan amnesty
I hope, wish, and deeply pray to God that the shameless issue of the so-called militias in Southern Sudan ends with the coming back of them to SPLM forever. I’m asking God to end this issue because the story of militias’ defection to Khartoum and re-defection back to SPLM has brought negative stigma to certain individuals and tribes within the South. I don’t sincerely know how supporters of these militias and militia leaders themselves see it.
Young Nation is a student of International Relations/Political Science at the University Of Queensland, Australia
Kideopo Boy
Unity state receives former rebels after South Sudan amnesty
BRAVO! General Tanginye. This is the spirit of a brave man who want to save his Country and people. General George Athor must do the same. Why giving conditions of coming out from hiding? General Tanginye and his soldiers cost civilians lost of lives in Malakal yet he excepted the amnesty given by the President Salva Kiir without conditions. And he came openly upto Juba and now to Bentiu.
General Athor, come out now and bring your soldiers to Juba or Bor before the registration date 14/11/2010. Don’t waste time with conditions, while time is running out. Let those you control in your area of operation get access to register and vote. Then later you will have what you are claiming to have.
Wish to hear soon that you are in Juba, Bor or Malakal. Be a peace maker as our President and others are doing.
AUGUSTINO DENG
Unity state receives former rebels after South Sudan amnesty
Let the rebels welcome themselves for the know that there is no pass at all to overcome the truth. When majorities number of people insist the faction, it is difficult for one person to defeate it. I appreciate Gen Taban Deng Gai for welcoming Gen Tanginye since both of them were rebels to the SPLM/SPLA. There is a saying said,”it is most difficult to sort out the tactics of the thieves unless you hired others thieves”.
So, what the Southern Sudan Government did in order to let Gen Taban Deng Gai welcome Gen Tanginye is something which I deeply praised a lot. If Tanginye decided to rebel again, Gen Taban Deng Gai will know how to dealt with Tanginye or if Gen Taban rebel, Tanginye will dealt with Taban Deng Gai.
After all, I’m glad that there is no one from Dinka Ruweng Community of Biemnom amongst the extremist who were been welcomed by Gen Taban Deng Gai.
By Augustino Deng. Jiech la mer from Tharpam.