S. Sudan rebel forces negotiating reintegration amongst disquiet in Jonglei
January 4, 2012 (BOR) – Forces loyal to the late rebel leader George Athor are negotiating reintegration into the South Sudan army in Ayod county, Jonglei state officials said on Wednesday.
Duop described the discussion as “positive.”
Athor rebelled against the South Sudan government in his leadership of the South Sudan Democratic Movement (SSDM) after losing Jonglei state gubernatorial elections in April 2010. He was killed in Morobo county of Central Equatoria state in December 2011 by the South Sudan army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) according to vice president Riek Machar.
“They [rebel forces] are willing to return to the SPLA and the talks we held were positive,” said Duop, explaining that the rebel force was 1,000 strong.
Jonglei state has also been facing insecurity due to a dispute between neighbouring ethnic groups – the Luo Nuer and Murle. Tens of thousands of Murle have been displaced in Pibor county.
Authorities in Pibor county say Lou Nuer youth are withdrawing from the county after over a week of fighting. Pibor county commissioner, Joshua Konyi, told Sudan Tribune by phone from Pibor town on Thursday that the attackers are fading away.
“They are moving toward their [Lou Nuer] area,” Konyi said, explaining that civilians are returning to Pibor town slowly.
Also in Jonglei, armed men dressed as police reportedly raided a Bor town suburb wounding three people on Wednesday at around 4.00pm local time.
“These are policemen because we know their faces,” a resident of Akuei, east of Bor town told the Sudan Tribune.
Police units in Bor town sent a contingent to attend the scene and heavy police were seen patrolling the area. However, the police officials declined to comment when asked about the accusation that uniformed men were involved.
(ST)