South Sudan militia deputy admits killing of his leader Gutluak
* Article
* Comments (31)
email Email
print Print
pdfSave
separation
increase
decrease
separation
separation
*
*
*
*
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
July 25, 2011 (BENTIU) - Second in command in the rebel group, the
South Sudan Liberation Army, Marko Chuol Ruei, has claimed
responsibility for the death of his commander, Gatluak Gai and
dismissed accusations against the South Sudan army.
JPEG - 41.7 kb
Gatluak Gai (SMC)
Gai was killed on Saturday in Pakur, Koch county, Unity state after
successful peace talks with the SPLA on 18 July. However, the Sudan
People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) forces in the area were accused of his
death despite the repeated denial of its spokesperson.
In an interview on Benitu Radio 24 July, Ruei, Gai admitted that he
killed Gatluak and accused the latter of instructing his combatants on
22 July to dishonour the peace agreement and refuse integration into
the SPLA,
Gutluak rather ordered his troops to join forces from North Sudan to
attack South Sudan, Ruei asserted.
He also claimed he was joined by other high-ranking rebel officers who
did not want to return to conflict and therefore established a coup.
"Gatluak Gai should blame himself for his death," said Ruei.
The SPLA spokesperson Phillip Aguer last Saturday denied any
involvement in Gatluak’s death and accused his deputy Marko Chuol Ruei
for killing the former rebel leader after disagreement within the
rebel camp.
The SPLA official further said that on Saturday morning clashed
erupted between five senior commanders led by Marko Chuol Ruei and
Gatluak’s loyal forces when the former went to convince their leader
to commit himself to the signed peace deal. Gatluak plus three others
were killed during the fighting.
There have long been allegations that the Khartoum government has
supported rebel groups operating in South Sudan. Ruei claims the SSLA
had been in contact with Khartoum regarding the supply of munitions.
However, this assistance was contingent on the SSLA joining forces
with other militias headed by Peter Gadet and Bapiny Monytuel.
The SSLA localised rebellion began after Teny, the wife of South Sudan
vice president Riek Machar beat Taban Deng Gai to the gubernatorial
seat in Bentiu in April 2010. It is believed that Gatluak Gai wanted a
county commisionership under Taban Deng Gai.
(ST)
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD
info" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
