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Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials

February 11, 2011, (KHARTOUM) – Officials say at least 105 people have been killed following deadly clashes involving forces belonging to the South Sudan army and armed groups loyal to General George Athor, a renegade commander in Fangak County, Jongeli State.

Athor was a former deputy chief of general staff in the southern army SPLA, who rebelled after losing the gubernatorial seat for Jonglei, to his main rival, incumbent governor Kuol Manyang Juuk, after contesting as an independent candidate in the 2010 April elections. He accused the southern ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), of intimidation and vote rigging and refused to recognize the results.

In April 2010, the government of South Sudan, in a weekly cabinet meeting, accused him of having staged an attack on the SPLA base adjacent to his home village of Khorfulus, located north-west of Jonglei capital, Bor. Athor denied the accusations, claiming that his rebellion occurred when soldiers in the southern army under his control refused orders to arrest him.

Since his rebellion Athor’s forces, predominantly members of his ethnic group and members of the surrounding communities, clashed several times with forces belonging to the SPLA. In October, South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, issued a presidential decree pardoning him and his forces. Kiir also extended the amnesty to some other armed groups, including Gabriel Tanginka (AKA Gabriel Tang) whose forces clashed with the SPLA on several occasions in Malakal in 2007 and 2008.

In February this year, Tanginka’s forces fought internally when they were asked to move North with their weapons as part of 2005 peace deal after the South voted to secede. The conflict spread to other areas of Upper Nile state resulting in many deaths.

The decree stated that one of the conditions for the amnesty included laying down arms prior to joining the SPLA. However, Athor has requested that Kiir review this condition.

In January, his negotiating team and the government of south Sudan with the SPLA, signed a cessation of hostilities agreement, which charted a way forward for a final agreement after integration of his forces by the end of January 2011.

According to Athor, several places were selected to be transit assembly points for his forces. This included Door in Jonglei, Wang Kei in Unity state. Other areas included Pablo in Pibor county where his zonal operation commanders Gatluak Gai and David Yau Yau operate.

However, Athor said Wednesday that SPLA forces in the area attacked his forces in Koliet and Kolnyang and received another attack from Fangak the same day afternoon. But SPLA spokesman Colonel Phillip Aguer Panyang denied the attack was initiated by the southern army.

“Our forces never launched an attack on General Athor’s forces. It was them who attacked our forces. Not only did he attack but laid landmines. This is dangerous to the local population”, Aguer told Sudan Tribune from Juba on Thursday.

James Maluit Ruei, Fangak commissioner also confirmed the clash and blamed Athor for the attack.

“George Athor attacked and captured Koliet and Kolnyang on Wednesday. He advanced to Fangak and captured it after taking Door but was repulsed. Again, he attacked Pom and overran it. The SPLA launched a counter attack but were repulsed. Lives have been lost on both sides the commissioner said in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Friday.

The violence comes days after results of a referendum on secession confirmed South Sudan would declare independence in July, after decades of civil war which claimed two million lives.

Fangak youth in Juba took to the streets demonstrating against the clash reported to have claimed the lives of civilians in the area and Friday. The group called on the President Kiir Mayardit and his government cabinet to pay attention to the conflict with immediacy. They also warned taking unilateral actions to defend their area if the president takes too long to respond.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Juba, Ruei Chany, a spokesman of the Fangak youth group in Juba said needs President Salva Kiir and his Vice President Riek Machar to act fast otherwise they would take unilateral action to defense their community.

“A lot of people have been killed. The media are saying 105 have been killed but it is more than that. President Kiir and his Vice Dr. Riek Machar must act now otherwise we will take act against perpetuators and members of their communities”.

“Our people should not be victims of the tribal tension between Atar Gier Chuang and the Luac Dinka of Athor. That is their problem why bring it to our innocent people. President Kiir must act now”.

“The situation in Fangak cannot wait. Our people have been ruthlessly and mercilessly killed by George Athor”, Chany told Sudan Tribune from Juba.

Dok James Puok, spokesman of General Athor said no report of new fighting on Friday and the details of those killed in the fighting are still not clear but the number could 105 or more.

“I still do not have clear information but it is possible that number of casualties could be 105 or more. Casualties on our side will be more or less than six. Because reports from our forces on the ground indicates that we lost three in the past clash on Wednesday and three others in the last fighting on Thursday,” said Puok.

However, Colonel Phillip Aguer, spokesman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, in a separate interview confirmed 105 people were killed. Reports from the area indicate that 105 people from both sides have killed: 39 civilians, 24 police and 42 from Athor’s men.

The military officer reiterated that the southern government holds Athor responsible for the attacks but said the SPLA was committed to reconciliation.

“The government is committed to full implementation of the ceasefire and complete agreement and do not understand why Athor attacks. So, because we are still respecting the ceasefire and it is holding, our forces never attacked General Athor because we know the ceasefire is holding. It was George Athor’s men who came with machine guns, AK 47s and started shooting at our men. They never started fight,” said Aguer.

(ST)

40 Comments

  • Bol Deng
    Bol Deng

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    Many Pangak resident has been supporting Athor from day one when Athor declear his rebellion against SPLM.

    This would be excellent before to leave him alone like the way his community leave the matter by himself. See! this is how thing works because if you protect the thief then you will be the victim. This happened many times, better not to jump into something that you do not know.

    For this youth and their minister,SPLA is there. You can not do anything with that little anger you have to do anything that you will defend your community nd how about other will protect their community. Eventually, that way the Somalialization could happened. Please, you should kno what you talking about.

    Reply
  • landlord
    landlord

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    What is this fighting for?
    Somebody must tell Athor that it will take him more then hundred years to defead south army.

    Why would you became reble for just governarship?
    Or maybe he still don’t like riek machar teny since he tell Dr Garang that he don’t whant Dr riek back in the SPLA/M.

    And that is the reason why he is fighting for. he being complaining a bout riek since 2001 but John Garang play it down. now he is back againt. what a shame.

    Reply
  • Ater Achuku Pal
    Ater Achuku Pal

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    This is a senseless killings. The gov’t of Southern Sudan must do something to appease George Athor to stick to ceasefire and allowed him to join back the SPLA in which he was a strong leader in it in order to maintain peace and stability in Southern Sudan. If the GOSS continue to pay a blind attention to this boiling rebellion, it will be sooner than later that Southern Sudan will flare up in tribal flames as witness in 1991 when Riak Machar defected from the SPLA.

    What give the current SPLM leadership reasons not to make peace with George Athor when they have accomodated former NCP militias-mostly Nuers and Equatorians who have killed and maimed hundred of thousands of Southerners while George was the one defending what has now become known of Southern Sudan.

    Did George Athor ever rebelled during war time against his own people? His current rebellion need to be look into because he may have legitimate cause that is forcing him to take such action.

    He has always defended the interest of Southern Sudan and to consider him as an enemy at this time will be tragic.

    I am a pro-SPLM, but if the SPLM continue to go down this path, things will not be good for the yet to be born country

    Reply
  • Nuer
    Nuer

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    Our own recent history is proving the Arabs gist truth of what they repeatedly said, violence breeds violence. If we are to learn anything from that lesson of history and from our own experience, it is that we should be humble enough to admit our mistakes and to seek other means to resolve our differences than the force of arms, I urgent GoSS to seek solutions to this disasters, otherwise, the world is watching and we prove Arabs gist that we can’t lead ourselves, they are laughing and pointing fingers that, you see, we told you they would not lead themselves.

    Man of Peace

    Reply
  • Joseph
    Joseph

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    Dear readers: Upper Nile in general is[AHEAD QUATERS OF REBELLION]
    Look Rebellion of Lt General Athor deng has thrown some peoples in to absolute panic and turmoil and others are enjoying the fruits of liberation somewhere else in the same country. Why some cases are being ignore & some are being settled. Especially Nuers Militias

    Reply
  • Jeti Leek
    Jeti Leek

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    I don’t blame Gen. Athor for rebelling against mighty SPLA, but I blame Nuer youths for supporting him. If you want something to be destroyed for call Nuer and they will destroy it for you, and if you want something to be built call for Dinka and they will build it for you. Look at Nuer what they attempted to do during struggle. They almost destroyed SPLA, but thank God it was managed by Dinka that’s why it succeeded. Nuer are just following Gen. Athor blindly. Shame on you! Leave Gen. Athor alone and he will accept peace.

    Reply
  • Liberator
    Liberator

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    TO: RAAN AND ALL NUER

    PLEASE STOP WINDING, STOP BLAMING OTHERS TRIBES(i.e THE DINKA) FOR HUMILIATING YOU IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE WORLD.

    KILLING YOUR CHILDREN, WOMEN & ELDERLY AND USING YOU IN THE GOSS TO HATE YOURSELF. WHY COMPLAINING NOW?

    IF YOU ALL ARE not THE REAL NUER(nei ti naath), YOU SHOULD KEEP QUITE AND LETS DINKA DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE.

    OR IF YOU ARE A REAL NUER(nei ti naath) YOU SHOULD STOP

    WINDING AND COMPLAINING AND HAVE A SWIFT ACTION FOR THE

    WHOLE WORLD TO SEE THAT’S THE NUER MY GREAT-GREAT-

    GRANDFATHER AND UNCLES WERE KNOWN FOR—-

    STOP SHOUTING AND COMPLAINING!

    A C T I O N SPEAKS L O U D E R— TO A BULLY—-

    N U E R —– ITS TIME FOR ________M U T!!!

    Reply
  • Liberator
    Liberator

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    TO: RAAN AND ALL NUER

    PLEASE STOP WINDING, STOP BLAMING OTHERS TRIBES(i.e THE DINKA) FOR HUMILIATING YOU IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE WORLD.

    KILLING YOUR CHILDREN, WOMEN & ELDERLY AND USING YOU IN THE GOSS TO HATE YOURSELF. WHY COMPLAINING NOW?

    IF YOU ALL ARE not THE REAL NUER(nei ti naath), YOU SHOULD KEEP QUITE AND LETS DINKA DO WHATEVER THEY LIKE.

    OR IF YOU ARE A REAL NUER(nei ti naath) YOU SHOULD STOP

    WINDING AND COMPLAINING AND HAVE A SWIFT ACTION FOR THE

    WHOLE WORLD TO SEE THAT’S THE NUER MY GREAT-GREAT-

    GRANDFATHER AND UNCLES WERE KNOWN FOR—-

    STOP SHOUTING AND COMPLAINING!

    A C T I O N SPEAKS L O U D E R— TO A BULLY—-

    N U E R —– ITS TIME FOR ________M U T!!!

    Reply
  • Joseph
    Joseph

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    Dear readers
    Upper Nile becomes [HEAD QUARTERS OF REBELLION]
    The rebellion of LT General Athor Deng has thrown some people in to absolute panic and turmoil whilst other are enjoying fruits of liberations in others parts of the new nation, some others rebellion cases are being settled especially Nuers rebellion and others are being ignore?

    Reply
  • Malaika Tat
    Malaika Tat

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    Dear readers(Dinka & Nuer),

    When will you embolden peace to your community? You always contribute parallel (negative) ideas to the articles, Whereas we are just brothers and sisters of this Nation.

    I think if you (Dinka & Nuer) converge to solution of your tribal issues, Peace will be achieved in those tribal areas.

    I think your educated, And our education does’t mean you achieve for negative critics in this website, “We learn to serve our communities” by contributing positively in all ways for whatever they are facing.

    I know it has been a historic hatred for these two communities and you guys your still prolonging; who do you want to solve your tribal issues, Please, I am assuring you people that, you should not rely on external mediators to bring for you peace like what Americans and European Union mediated for Independent of our South Sudan Nation from Arabs oppression. As outsiders are criticizing us that, we cannot administer ourselves. Dont believe on those dogs barking on us, Tell them, that we can administer ourselves by solving such issues by a diplomatic ways but not through exchange of fire.

    I am praying our Almighty God to change your primitive ideology towards our communities, They are our beloved fellows.

    Reply
  • Dinkanuer
    Dinkanuer

    Death toll in Jonglei clashes reaches over 105 – officials
    George Athor, Gabriel Tanginya, David Yauyau, and Gatluak Gai all are Dr. Riek Machar’s Agencies!
    Dr. Lam Akol is the number one foolish man I ever seen, when he fooling around he said this is a times for foolish people to fool each other.
    He fool Dr. Riek to breakaway from the SPLM/A
    When Dr. Riek noticed the tricky, he fools Nuer community to come and destroyed Dr. Garang his Dinka tribe.

    Which is today people call “The Bor Massacre” where hundreds thousands of people lost their lives.
    Dr. Riek fools Dr. Matip to kill Dr. Nyuon Beny and, Kerubino Kuanyin Bol.
    Now Dr. Riek is continuing to fool Dr. Tanginya in order to kill Dr. Matip and Dr. Matip when to fool Dr. Gatluak Gai.
    What the messy is this person doing?


    For those who are still using Ngundeng ideologies, please be inform! Ngundeng had shameful things to be said about him. First,

    He was not a Prophet but a profit to his royalist in Nuer.
    He had many names according to his activities in many parts of South Sudan.
    He was a Cannibal animal according to Nuer man who doesn’t need to be mentioned
    His first name was Ngundeng-meaning that he was send by God.
    After he gone wild and ran away.
    His name changed to be Gatluakmanguel in Nuer dialect.
    He ate many Nuer men and women in Nuer Land
    Dinka. His name was Manyang e Juet.
    He ate many children, animal claviers and cows’s bulls in Dinka Land.
    Equatorian with different languages including English and Arabic
    His name was Tiger

    The Nuer man who refused to be target by Ngundeng’s salves pointed out that. Ngundeng had no father or mother but the Devil who came out in the River Nile in a form of fish, when the Nuer boys want for fishing. They fish for so many hours and they caught nothing, when the boys get tied and ready to go back home. One of them told other guys that there was a fish ate his hook lastly, the boy convinced other friends to tried one more time! Shortly after he putted on snail body on the hook, he had thrown it into Nile River. Immediately, Ngundeng was caught. The boy was attempting to pull the Fish Ngundeng out in the river but it was difficult for him to do so, then he called his associates to pull Ngundeng on the shore. They brought it out and they were smile some of them were told to go and collect firewood in order for the young men to roast their fish.
    Unfortunately! The Fish Ngundeng changed into big snake! And the boys ran away from it, the boys thought that they were dreaming and they came back for the second times. The Snake Ngundeng light it body and become bright as well as electricity light. They ran home and they spread the news to the community, when the Nuer elders came to the place where Ngundeng was pulled. It was still there as snake with it light. People gather together around it and started asking question how did this happen? The Snake Ngundeng changed into human being and told people not to run away. All of them were shocking and scary to death except Human Ngundeng who perform such witchcraft. things “Come down, come down now!” The Human Ngundeng said. Who are you? The Nuer elders asked him. I am Nyajok_ which mean woman devil! The Human Ngundeng answer! She knew her own physical appearance as she is a hermaphrodite. (A person with both the organs of a man and a woman) Wow! Brothers and sisters of Nuer I am sorry for your Profit. Nyajok Ngundeng was not a Prohet? It was your profit to cheat people for his power but It was not a Prophet? It was a Satan?

    Cie liel du dem e mac!

    By Dinkanuer!

    Reply
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