Forces loyal to Peter Gadet arrive to Unity state after South Sudan’s deal
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
August 12, 2011 (BENTIU) – Some 1200 troops loyal to Peter Gatdet’s South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) have arrived to the Unity state from South Kordofan state where they were based for the last few months.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Juba on Friday, Gadet’s spokesperson Bol Gatkuoth said one thousand two hundred troops of the rebel South Sudan Liberation Army led by Peter Gatdet arrived in Unity State’s Mayom County two days ago.
Gatkuoth said the combatants moved peacefully from Sudan’s Southern Kordofan state where they were based to Unity state in accordance with the ceasefire deal. He further said other fighters are coming from the South Sudan northern border and “the headquarters” of the group.
They are well received by the local communities and Mayom commissioner Maou Martin Machot Deng, said the spokesperson. Mayom County witnessed this year some of the heaviest fighting between Gatdet’s SSLA and the South Sudan Army, the SPLA.
Another faction of the rebel SSLA immediately rejected the truce deal after its announcement saying the ceasefire decision was taken without consultations with the movement. The rebels also stressed their movement existed before Gadet decide to join them on March, 28, 2011 with “his friend” Bol Gatkuoth Koal and it would continue without.
The rebels also claime that their headquarters are in Mayom.
Maou confirmed to Sudan Tribune the arrival of Gadet’s fighters adding the process is going smoothly.
“I confirm that these forces have arrived in Mayom County with us and they are enjoying peaceful relations with us, but arrangements for their commodities are to be taken care of by the SPLA headquarters at the South Sudan level.”
Gatkuoth pointed out that a joint committee comprising members from the SSLA and the SPLA has been formed to finalize talks on a full peace deal between the two parties.
He says they are committed to reaching a final agreement based on the assurances they got during their meeting with President Kiir last week in Juba.
SSLA rebel faction in a statement released today alleged that the Unity state arrested some 35 members of Gadet’s family who were among 65 relatives that were give the choice to move from the group after the defection of their relative. They further claimed they detainees are subjected to “harsh and inhumane treatments”.
(ST)