Rebel leader Johnson Uliny in Juba to discuss peace deal with Kiir

June 13, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudanese former rebel leader Johnson Uliny arrived in Juba on Thursday to verify his acceptance of an amnesty offered by president Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Uliny, while addressing journalists at Juba International Airport on said his presence in the South Sudanese capital was a sign of peace. The former rebel leader was convoyed by politicians from Upper Nile, mostly from his the Shilluk Kingdom.

“I’m here in Juba today as a response for amnesty, with regard to all welcome offered to me by all politicians from Shilluk communities and the SPLA officers make an impression to me a lot”, said Uliny.

The arrival of rebel leader was witness by some high ranking officers from South Sudan’s army (SPLA), including Maj Gen Mai Paul. The officials expressed concern that Uliny and other Southern rebels, who accepted the amnesty offer in Unity state had both been backed by the Sudanese government.

Uliny claims he received supports from South Sudanese while fighting against government, but earlier this month admitted that his forces had received logistical support and militarily training from Sudanese government.

The ex-rebel dismissed the Sudanese government allegation that the South Sudanese government is supporting Sudanese rebels – the SPLA-N – in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

Uliny urged on remaining groups of rebels in South Sudan to immediately respond to the amnesty offered by South Sudanese president in order for development to take place in the new nation.

Brig-Gen Malaak Ayuen Jok, the SPLA’s head of information and public relations, says Sudan has been supplying heavy ammunition to the rebels as part of a proxy war against the world’s newest nations.

“We are going to organise a press conference so that these things will be display and they themselves will tell the public where do they acquired these weapons, Sudan is accusing us but […] they don’t have any tangible evidence they can present to the public, but we have and these people they are living evident that actually the Sudan government has been undermining South Sudan”, said Jok.

In April over 3,000 rebels group with over 78 vehicles and heavy ammunition lead by General Bapiny Monytuel entered Unity state from South Kordofan, paving the way for other groups to also accept the presidential amnesty and peace talks.

(ST)