South Sudanese army pledge to clear Jonglei of rebels
August 28, 2012 (BOR) – Jonglei State Government officials and South Sudan’s Army (SPLA) have pledged to clear the state from the rebel group led by David Yau Yau after an attack in Nahaam area of Pibor, where they killed some 40 SPLA soldiers last week.
“There is no nation with two armies, we have instructed the army to teach a lesson they will never forget,” the Governor said.
The death of the SPLA soldiers who were defending the nation cannot be mourned according to Manyang. “They are martyrs of this land,” he stressed.
The Governor of South Sudan largest state further confirmed after his return to Bor that “civilian in villages around were affected” by the attack.
General Bol said that David Yau Yau, in a bid to recruit civilians in Pibor, lied to people telling them that he brought a lot of arms.
In the past years, populations that have been disarmed areas in South Sudan have expressed fears that they were made vulnerable to attack by other tribes, particularly neighbouring groups who may have been overlooked in the disarmament operation.
Earlier this year the South Sudanese Army conducted a state-wide disarmament campaign in Jonglei State following clashes between the Murle and Luo Nuer tribes which affected over 100,000 people.
General Bol reaffirmed that the disarmament process would continue as planned adding that “Yau Yau will die like [George] Athor” who died in December 2011. The SPLA say he was killed in Central Equatoria State while trying to recruit civilians into his South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (SSDM/A).
The SSDM, however, disputed the SPLA’s version of events claiming that he had been kidnapped on a visit to Uganda. Athor like Yau Yau began his rebellion after the 2010 elections. Athor lost his bid to become Governor while Yauyau failed to be appointed as Pibor Commissioner.
“Yau Yau will be the last militia leader to die in shame, they will not escaped from our hands”, General Bol said.
(ST)