Greater Pibor Administration official dismisses rebellion link
February 14, 2015 (BOR) – A senior member of Greater Pibor Area Administrator (GPPA) has dismissed as “baseless” reports that a faction of South Sudan Democratic Movement (SSDM) Cobra faction had defected and joined the armed opposition rebel group.
“It was an attempt to create confusion to the people of greater Pibor and South Sudan in general. I know the person who claims he defected. Paulino has never been part of the Cobra faction during the time we fought government”, he told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.
“He [Zanguil] was doing his studies in Uganda. He has never been part of SSDM/Cobra faction; maybe he was one of the sympathisers inside Juba when we were fighting the government. He has never been in our rank”, added Lilimoy.
This comes a day after a splinter group of the Cobra forces of the Murle ethnic group announced their defection from president Kiir’s government and declared allegiance to rebel leader, Riek Machar.
In a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune, the commander of the Greater Pibor forces, Colonel Zangil, said Pibor forces have joined Machar’s rebel movement and accused Kiir’s government of allegedly dishonouring a peace agreement the area leadership signed with government last year, describing the deal as a “hoax”.
Machar’s spokesman, James Gatdet Dak confirmed that Zangil made the announcement after consultations with the armed opposition leader.
Lilimoy, however, dismissed Zangil’s claims on last year’s peace deal.
“He [Zangil] was saying the agreement SSDM cobra faction signed with government has been dishonored. I want to tell people that this is not true. The agreement is going well and none of the parties has dishonored the agreement”, he told Sudan Tribune.
According to the GPPA official, Zangil defected last year with 20 men after developing differences with their leader, David Yau Yau, but downplayed impact of his defection.
The semi-autonomous GPAA came into effect last year after president Salva Kiir signed into law a peace accord for its recognition following a peace deal with the rebels.
The GPPA comprises of six council members drawn from each of its seven counties with their roles equivalent to those of lawmakers in the state legislative assembly. The area also consists of several departments, which are overseen by the council.
(ST)