South Sudan rebel alliance accepts presidential amnesty
April 26, 2013 (JUBA) – A coalition of South Sudanese rebels said on Friday that they “unconditionally” accepted an amnesty by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Thursday, raising hopes of an end to nearly three years of upheaval concentrated along strategic border areas with neighbouring Sudan.
However, leaders from the other rebel groups, exclusively members of Nuer and Shilluk ethnic groups, expressed in a statement seen by Sudan Tribune on Friday, their readiness to accept the amnesty.
The rebel groups, in statement which carries signature of Gordon Buay, who identified himself as spokesman of the coalition, claimed the leadership of South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA), South Sudan Democratic Army (SSDA) and South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) have declared peace with the government of South Sudan as of April, 26, 2013.
Buay said all the rebels will start interacting with South Sudan’s army (SPLA) without any confrontation to bring peace to the country.
“We have ordered all rebel forces to move to the areas controlled by the SPLA to achieve peace. Today, 5,000 forces of SSLA have moved to Mayom County as part of the ongoing peace process President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called”, Buay’s statement said.
The rebel groups’ spokesperson said the SSLA forces, under the command of Maj. General Mathews Pul Jang, were officially received by the SPLA Division Four commander, Major General James Koang in Unity state’s Mayom town.
He described the atmosphere in which his group was received as “very warm” and claimed that women and children started ululating and singing.
The rebel official said a delegation composed of Gordon Koang Chol, Maj. Gen. Baping Monytuil, Maj. Gen. John Uliny, Maj. Gen. Carlos Kuol and himself will land in Juba to meet President Salva Kiir Mayardit to finalise the integration of all rebel forces to the SPLA army.
“The leadership of SSLA, SSDA and SSDF is very thankful to President Kiir for promoting the unity of the people of South Sudan. Since January, the government of South Sudan has been in contact with the political leaders of rebel forces to stop rebellion and join the government. The kindness and leadership of President Kiir have convinced us that the president is a man of peace who wants to see development in South Sudan”, the statement reads in part on Friday
The release expressed happiness with the interest for peace and unity demonstrated by General James Hoth Mai, the SPLA Chief-of-staff, who joined President Kiir in reaching out to all rebels to end rebellion and join the government to develop South Sudan.
“Since January, Gen. James Hoth has been working very hard to persuade all the rebels to end the war and he has succeeded today. Because South Sudan needs development, peace and forgiveness, we have decided to end rebellion and ordered all rebel forces to interact with the SPLA until the integration is complete. From today, there will be no more war in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile States,” the statement which Sudan Tribune has seen on Friday explains in part.
Kiir, in an order broadcasted by state-owned South Sudan Television (SSTV) said the amnesty covered all rebel leaders who took up arms against his administration and fought against the government. He expects them to respond and lay down their weapons without conditions.
The order named Major General Gordon Kong, Major General David Yauyau, Major General Oyuok Ogot, Major General Bapiny Monytuil Wicjang, Major General John Uliny and Major General Munto Abdullah Munto as the immediate beneficiaries. All the officers and men who served under their direct commands since launching their rebellions are included in the amnesty regardless of any crimes they may have committed.
South Sudan has not been able to contain several armed groups it says are getting support from the government of Sudan, a claim which Khartoum denies.
In return, Sudan accuses South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) of still maintaining relations with their former colleagues – the SPLA-North – who are currently fighting the government in the Sudanese states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, which lie just north of the new international border.
(ST)