SAF/ S. Sudan rebels battle with SPLA in Upper Nile state
April 15, 2012 (JUBA) – The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the South Sudan army (SPLA) clashed in northern Upper Nile state, eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune on Sunday morning.
However, an anonymous rebel source claims the SPLA was engaged only by rebel forces led by Johnson Olonyi; the current head of the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (SSDM/A).
Olonyi is believed to currently leading a force of approximately 800 predominantly Shilluk fighters in the north of Upper Nile state, after the defection of the SSDM/A’s previous head, Peter Kuol Chol Awan, in February 2012. Awan succeeded George Athor, who was reportedly killed by the SPLA in December 2011. Athor began the rebellion after the defecting from the SPLA after loosing his bid to become the governor of Jonglei state during the April 2010 elections.
Eyewitnesses claim SAF and a militia under the command of Olonyi attacked an SPLA position in Kuek, in Mayo county of northern Upper Nile state at 5.00am on Sunday, but were repulsed after two hours of conflict.
The rebel source also cited 5.00am as the time of the conflict but claimed it took place in Kodok, the capital of Shilluk country in northern Upper Nile state.
In March the South Sudan Liberation Movement/Army; a predominantly Nuer, Unity state rebel group; claimed an imminent attack on Malakal, the state capital also in northern Upper Nile, would be carried out by their forces and the SSDA under the command of Olonyi.
(ST)