South Sudan: Rebel Leader Arrives in Juba

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).

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.