Militia leader in Unity state says respect ceasefire after Friday clashes

By Ngor Arol Garang

January 10, 2011 (JUBA) – Colonel Gatluak Gai, a leader of the armed militia allegedly operating with backing from the Sudan Armed Forces, in the southern state of Unity on Monday said would respect and support the recently signed permanent cease-fire between General Athor and the semi-autonomous regional government of south Sudan.

Colonel Phillip Aguer, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army spokesman on Saturday said armed elements identified as loyal to Gatluak Gai attacked an SPLA post at Tor Bieth in Mayom county, Unity state, killing six soldiers capturing of 32 others and severely injuring 13. It is claimed that of the 32 captives, 15 were flown to Juba on Saturday.

The senior military officer denied any losses to their forces but individuals whose relatives were in the clashes on Friday and Saturday said 14 were SPLA members were killed. Bul Athian, of Aweil, the capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal lost his brother in the attack.

“I hear them [SPLA officers] saying nobody has been killed but my own brother Kuot Athian has been killed during the clash which occurred on Friday at Tor Bieth between forces loyal to the so called Gatluak Gai and the SPLA. He was fighting on the SPLA side because this attack occurred at their post. He is a [member of the] SPLA forces in Unity State,” said Bul.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Malakal, Abiel Riing Majak, a member of the negotiating team who spoke on behalf of General George Athor Deng, hailed the position taken by Gai in accepting the ceasefire.

“I very much supported Colonel Gatluak Gai for showing readiness to accept the ceasefire. This is a firm step toward ending post elections conflicts so that the future of our people is collectively decided,” said Abiel

Gai announced his willingness to accept the ceasefire in an hour long telephone meeting he had with General Athor, indicating that he may the commander ultimately responsible for the rebel forces involved in Monday’s clash. Both General Athor and colonel Gatluak changed their allegiances after failing the last April elections.

Gai was a supporter of the former Unity state gubernatorial candidate, Angelina Teny who went into last year’s April election as an independent against Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement’s (SPLM) official nominee, the incumbent Governor Taban Deng Gai. Teny, the wife of Southern Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar, contested the position as an indpendent after failing to secure approval of her candidacy by the SPLM’s 27 member political bureau – the highest political structure in southern Sudan’s ruling party.

Teny promised to appoint Gai as a county commissioner in the event that she won the election. However, the National Elections Commission announced results in favour of the SPLM nominee, prompting Gai, among others, to contest the outcome. Subsequently in May 2010, Gai, became a leader of an armed rebel group active in the western part of Mayom county.

George Athor, who formerly served as a top military officer in the SPLA, became a rebel commander after losing a gubernatorial race for Jonglei state. Like Angelina Teny, Athor failed to secure the endorsement of his candidature by the SPLM political bureau.

Speaking to the Sudan Tribune from his base in Khorfulous, Athor said that he was confident that the colonel will accept the ceasefire because he is one of his zonal commanders.

“We talked today with Colonel Gai. Our discussion was about the recent ceasefire which we signed with government of south Sudan. This agreement covers forces under our zonal command. Gatluak Gai is one of our zonal commanders in western Upper Nile and David Yauyau in south eastern Upper Nile in Pibor,” explained General Athor in what seems to confirm allegations that Gatluak Gai and David Yauyau are not acting independtly but are commanded by Athor.

Athor said that during the one hour long telephone discussion they seemed to reach some understandings which would encourage colonel Gai to accept the ceasefire. “It was a good discussion over some contentious issues,” said Athor without giving any details.

Gathering reactions to this interview, Sudan Tribune spoke with the SPLA spokesman in the regional capital of Juba, Colonel Phillip Aguer who welcomed what he described as “change of heart.”

“There is nothing we are looking for in south Sudan other than peace. We need peace and stability in south Sudan. Gatluak’s (Gai) calls for a ceasefire is welcomed. It is as if God has touched him to change his heart. We do not have a problem with him because it was he who launched an attack on our position after we signed the ceasefire with General George Athor, whom we believed was the overall rebel commander. When we signed the ceasefire last week with him [General Athor], we thought Gatluak was one of his officers but we were surprised when he attacked our position,” explained Aguer.

(ST)