S. Sudan rebel commander speaks out on conflict

January 5, 2015 (JUBA) – A senior South Sudanese rebel commander said they are ready for all options adopted by the Juba government as a remedy to resolve the country’s over one-year conflict.

“We are ready to withstand what those in Juba are saying. If they want peace, we will talk. If they want war as this is what they are singing, we are also ready. We are ready for any option”, Major General Dau Aturjong exclusively told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

He said failure by the international community to support the cause of the movement emboldened Juba to amount an all-out conflict.

Aturjong, recently appointed deputy chief of general staff for training for opposition forces, said it was high time the international community took action and stood with the people of south Sudan who are distressed by the “continued ruthless repression and deliberate stirring of sectarian tension” which plunged the nation into war.

“It is the high time the international community comes out and stand with the people of South Sudan. The longer the international community fail to take action, the more the civilian population will suffer from countless atrocities which are committed by the heartless regime of Salva Kiir and his friends,” said the rebel commander.

“The world needs to understand that until now, the wounded South Sudan still bleeds day and after while the butcher is not deterred to stop the killing of innocent civilians and accept peace,” he added.

The rebel official further claimed the armed opposition was fighting a “just war”, with the aim to “liberate the oppressed” in the country.

“Despite all these odds, the resistance and resilience of our people despite all pain, sacrifice and bloodshed escalates and grows every single day,” he said, further adding, “It is time to stand with them”.

Aturjong appealed to his fellow South Sudanese from all walks of life to join the armed opposition movement so as to “liberate themselves from the bondage of slavery, discrimination and insubordination”.

“If we want freedom, we must liberate ourselves from the regime. If we want justice, we must work for a free and open society, continue our resolve and anger. Our people should not accept anything else apart from demanding their rights to establish the type of governing system they want and build their own state”, he said by phone.

The senior rebel commander said it was sad that some people in the government of Salva Kiir whom they fought together against successive repressive regimes in Sudan from which the new nation seceded in 2011 have turned the country into laughing stock.

He also urged the population to wholly join rebellion, saying the Juba regime only represents the interests of a few individuals, not citizens.

“Our people should join the movement because Salva Kiir and his friends are not only plundering our resources, desecrating our cultural heritage and carrying what was tantamount to a genocide while the world just sat and watched but also sold our national pride and sovereignty to foreign mercenaries just for them to remain in power through the blood of our people”, said the rebel commander.

Last week, the South Sudan army chief of staff, Gen. Paul Malong Awan warned the rebels against provocative attacks, saying the national army would retaliate in defense.

(ST)