Jonglei governor says security improved in 2010 despite Athor’s rebellion

December 27, 2010 (BOR) – Jonglei state governor. Kuol Manyang Juuk, has said that Jonglei state security has improved considerably in 2010 compared to 2009. Although he accepted recent clashes between the southern army – the SPLA – and the forces of former SPLA General, George Athor, who has rebelled against the southern government, has been a threat to stability in northern counties of Jonglei.

Athor took up arms against the Government of Southern Sudan after he failed to win the governorship race in Jonglei State, contesting the April elections as an independent candidate as he was not selected by the SPLM the south’s governing party.

At least 12 people were killed in clashes between the SPLA and Athor’s forces on December 18 and 19 despite a delegation from the southern government meeting Athor earlier in the month.

Governor Juuk noted that so far all efforts to resolve the conflict had so far been futile. He told registered voters for the January referendum that they should expect to vote in the self determination referendum in a peaceful atmosphere.

Speaking at Lieudier Cathedral, the seat of Bor diocese, the governor called on church leaders and south Sudanese to maintain peace ahead of referendum as well as during and after the plebiscite.

Thousands of Christians marched on the streets of Bor town on Friday and Saturday to celebrate Christmas. Churches say they recorded the largest attendance of the year with the headquarters of Bor diocese counting over 20,000 thousand people for services on Christmas Day.

Wearing different attires; women, men, youths and children thronged to the roads and halted traffic for several hours. Traffic police had to control people movements instead of cars.

The marchers played drums and sang songs composed in local languages, witnessed by many spectators.

This year’s Christmas celebration come less than two weeks before Southern Sudanese vote in a referendum on the independence of the region. Community leaders urged the population to celebrate with restraint.

Bishop of Bor diocese, Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, called for patience and prayers in the lead to January, 2011 vote. Bishop Garang directed his calls for prayers to the youths whom he said are “future of tomorrow” to be committed to prayers and hard work amidst the challenges of life.

Church authorities say 20,019 people attended Christmas at Lieudier on Christmas Day, the highest attendance of the year. Nigel church came second with more that 10,000 people for their Christmas services.

Thousands of people travelled from Juba to Bor to celebrate the festival at the countryside. Prices of some food items, clothes and other essential holidays doubled in days leading up to Christmas.

There are less than two weeks before southern Sudanese are due to vote in a referendum to choose for unity or separation of Africa’s largest country in accordance with a 2005 peace accord that end two decades of north-south civil war that left more two million people dead.

Southerners are widely expected to vote for independence according to observers.

(ST)