Ethiopian army captures Jonglei spiritual leader – SPLA says
June 26, 2012 (BOR) – South Sudan’s army says a spiritual leader who fled disarmament in Jonglei state to neighbouring Ethiopia has been captured along with 200 others today.
The self-proclaimed spiritual leader, Dak Kueth, fled to Ethiopia in March when the civil disarmament commenced in the state, according to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
Kueth was heading armed youths from Lou Nuer areas in northern Jonglei state and allegedly recruited some followers in Ethiopia, He was captured by Ethiopian army while escaping SPLA ambush on South Sudan’s border on Tuesday.
A boat attack in Jonglei on Thursday in which at least 9 people were killed was attributed to his followers.
“The criminals were trying to run away from Ethiopia towards Jonglei but when they realised that the SPLA forces are present, they ran back to Ethiopia and they fell into Ethiopia’s ambush,” Diem told reporters on Tuesday in Bor.
“He [Kueth], was a factor of insecurity in Jonglei state,” Gen Diem said when asked the significance of having Kueth arrested.
According to Diem, he was arrested with 200 others – some of them Ethiopian nationals. Kueth will be transported to South Sudan by Wednesday.
When Lou Nuer launched a retaliatory attack on Pibor, a home to Murle tribe, Kueth was accused of helping in organisation.
(ST)