South Sudan rebel leader arrives in Juba
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March 7, 2012 (BOR) – The leader for one of South Sudan’s rebel
groups, Peter Chol Kuol Awan, arrived in Juba on Tuesday less than a
week after the government announced it had reached a peace deal with
his South Sudan Democratic Movement (SSDM).
JPEG - 12.8 kb
Former South Sudan rebel chief George Athor Deng (R) speaks during a
press conference in Nairobi on November 20, 2011, before his death
(Getty)
Awan, replaced the late Gen. George Athor in January 2012 after the
founder of the movement was killed by South Sudan’s army (SPLA) in
December. However, when the peace deal was announced some elements of
SSDM refused to recognise the agreement and vowed to fight on claiming
that Awan had already defected from the SSDM when he signed the deal
with Juba.
“We have not signed any agreement with anybody. What the minister of
information in the government has said is not correct,” announced John
Olony on Wednesday 29 February, claiming to be the new leader of the
rebel group.
But Awan told South Sudan TV Tuesday evening that he remains the
legitimate leader of the movement as he was elected by the SSDM’s
council following Athor’s death two months ago.
“There is only one leader and that is me. I have come and the rest
will accept the peace,” Awan told SSTV. He said that the SSDM’s "aims
include working to embrace peace for our people."
The SSDM insurgency in Upper Nile and Unity State have worsened the
humanitarian situation in South Sudan and thwarted development
attempts the government claim.
Athor formed the SSDM after losing gubernatorial elections in April
2010. He claimed they were rigged in favor of the incumbent, Kuol
Manyang Juuk, who was the candidate endorsed by South Sudan’s ruling
party - the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The government
has dismissed the allegation describing it as cover for a Khartoum
backed rebellion aimed at derailing South Sudan’s independence.
As part of a 2005 peace deal South Sudan voted overwhelmingly to
secede from Sudan in January 2011, with independence declared in July
last year. Despite the split, the two countries continue to accuse the
other of backing rebellions in each others territory. Both Juba and
Khartoum deny the allegations.
Athor died on December 19, 2011 in Marobo county of Central Equatoria
State after what the government said was a cross-fire with between his
forces and South Sudan’s patrol forces there. However, the SSDM claim
Uganda was involved in his death as he had travelled there and
disappeared shortly before his death. Juba and Kampala deny this.
Since January over 100 SSDM soldiers have joined the South Sudanese
army (SPLA), officials say.
(ST)
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