S. Sudanese rebels refute defection of their forces in Akobo
February 18, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – A senior official of the South Sudanese rebel group has refuted claims by a military spokesperson that he defected with forces from the White Army allied to Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by former vice-president, Riek Machar.
Lul said his group is known as South Sudan Resistance Movement/Army (SSRM/A).
He accused Machar’s group of “weak leadership” and “lack of seriousness” to make peace with government.
The splinter rebel further stressed his rejection for “Machar’s strategy of mobilising civilians to keep on fighting for his own personal interest”.
The military officer declared himself an interim chairman of the new movement and commander-in-chief of its military wing, but said his group had already declared unilateral ceasefire and was ready to dialogue with president Salva Kiir’s government.
“SSRM/A hereby declares unilateral ceasefire with the forces of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and their allies,” he said in a press statement extended to Sudan Tribune, adding he was ready for direct talks with government “any time” and “anywhere.”
Lul said his main objective was to demand for the establishment of a separate state for Greater Akobo counties of Lou Nuer.
Machar’s rebel group had already created a separate state for greater Akobo in their proposal of 21 states based on former old districts.
OFFICIALS DISMISS CLAIMS
However, all the three commissioners of the three Greater Akobo counties on the ground have dismissed Lul’s claims of Lou Nuer’s White Army defection, saying the whole Lou Nuer territory and forces remained under the leadership of Riek Machar.
They also dismissed any existence of a new movement allegedly formed by Lul.
“The greater Akobo leadership, on ground, dismisses the existence of any armed resistance in the three counties of Lou Nuer beside that of SPLM/ A under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon,” refuted the Akobo county commissioner Koang Rambang Chol.
“On behalf of the three Commissioners, Cde Simon Hoth Duol, Cde Wany Juet Jok and I, wish to assure the entire Lou Nuer Citizens across the globe that we remain committed to the course of our movement under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny,” further reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
He said the Lou Nuer leadership and its entire population would not betray, at any cost, the innocent Nuer citizens massacred by troops loyal to president Kiir, adding that “Lou Nuer people will not be divided again for personal interests or gains.”
Other sources from the Lou Nuer community also dismissed Lul’s claims of defection with forces, saying the former SPLA-IO spokesman had been in contact with the government in Juba who lured him to defect as a person.
“We have been monitoring his contacts with government’s agents from Lou Nuer who wanted him to rejoin the government,” said an official who preferred anonymity, adding, the claimed formation of a group was an attempt by Lul to make his defection a big deal.
The official added that Lul was simply frustrated after he experienced administrative collision with some of his senior colleagues who accused him of indiscipline.
Last year, Lul made public his quarrel over administrative issues with the chairman of national committee for information and public relations, Mabior Garang de Mabior.
(ST)