October 6, 2010 (JUBA) – The President of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), General Salva Kiir Mayardit, has issued an Executive Order, pardoning senior army officers who rebelled or fought against the SPLA forces before and after April’s elections.
Kiir’s order issued on Wednesday bestows amnesty on Major General Gabriel Tanginye, Lt. General George Athor Deng and Colonel Gatluak Gai. It also urges them to rejoin the rank and file of the SPLA forces and move freely in the South.
The SPLA accused its ex-foe, Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) of supporting the renegade officers saying they serve to destabilize the southern region.
The southern Sudan authorities said last August they impounded in Upper Nile state, a Khartoum-destined cargo helicopter carrying men loyal to Gen. George Athor. However, Khartoum denied the accusation and the plane was moved to Juba for investigations.
Major General Tanginye was accused by GoSS of causing military confrontations with the SPLA in 2006 and 2008, which left about three hundred people dead in the Upper Nile state’s capital of Malakal. General Athor and Colonel Gai have also rebelled and clashed with the SPLA in protest of the outcome of the gubernatorial elections in Jonglei and Unity states, respectively.
Athor, who served and held senior positions within the SPLA, refused to concede defeat and claimed the vote was rigged.
Kiir said that the pardon will not come into effect unless the three officers unconditionally lay down their arms and rejoin the SPLA.
The move comes one day after the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) kicked off preparatory meetings with all the Southern Sudan political parties for the purpose of reaching a consensus on the referendum and post-referendum era.
South Sudan is due to vote early next year on whether it wants to remain united with the north or to become a independent nation.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the Vice President and the Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM, Riek Machar, chaired meetings with 17 southern political parties to discuss the way forward and prepare for next week’s conference.
In a press statement after Wednesday’s meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and the SPLM Deputy Secretary General for Southern Sector, Ann Itto, said the parties have agreed on the agenda.
Itto who will also head the Information sub-committee in the preparatory committee added that the conference is to reconcile and achieve a consensus on the upcoming Southern Sudan referendum which should be free, fair and transparent.
Source: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36507
Newer articles:
- Contribution of Southern Sudanese to the Independence - 11/10/2010 03:33
- Recommendation to Overcome Abyei CPA's Stalemate - 10/10/2010 07:52
- A Call for a Political Settelement to the Land Grabbing Conflicts in the Chollo Kingdom - 08/10/2010 23:33
- BORDERS SHOULD BE LEFT OPEN - 08/10/2010 03:30
- AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT ON THE GROWTH OF MALAKAL TOWN, 1908 - 1955 - 08/10/2010 03:30
Older news items
- Hollywood star Clooney 'fears' a war in Sudan - 07/10/2010 07:41
- HISTORY OF SOUTHERN SUDAN (HOSS) - 06/10/2010 07:38
- Agriculture in Southern Sudan: Challenges and Investment Opportunities - 06/10/2010 01:45
- Non-Odious Debts and South Sudan Independence Challenge - 03/10/2010 07:45
- Announcing Naath Community Association of Edmonton - 02/10/2010 01:48
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Continues – Analysis - 01/12/2024 17:47
- South Sudan secured over 282 150 doses of oral cholera vaccine to contain the cholera outbreak - 01/12/2024 17:43
- The idea of one nation and one people is a distortion of our reality!!! - 29/11/2024 12:54
- In South Sudan with aid boss John Rynne: 'The maps drawn in colonial times are starting to erode' - 29/11/2024 12:47
- 'They have nothing': Aid workers struggle to save lives at edge of war-torn Sudan - 29/11/2024 12:36
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan's President Kiir unveils new cabinet - 13/03/2020 00:16
- South Sudan refugees flood into Ethiopia, says UN - 06/05/2014 13:05
- What's Happening in South Sudan Is Horrifying - 06/06/2018 13:51
- African Union to investigate Sudan, South Sudan quarrel - 23/07/2013 02:21
- Over 400,000 South Sudanese have benefited from Turkish Red Crescent's support - 10/06/2022 01:25
Popular articles:
- The Final Communique of SPLM-DC Third Session of the National Council - 29/03/2011 01:00 - Read 75892 times
- Roles and Definition of Political Parties - 29/04/2011 01:00 - Read 60469 times
- Agriculture in Southern Sudan: Challenges and Investment Opportunities - 06/10/2010 01:45 - Read 41913 times
- Fashoda Youth Forum Rehabilitation of Drainage Culverts in Malakal town Report - 07/08/2008 16:22 - Read 32879 times
- Dozens of gunmen on horseback ambush peacekeepers - 24/05/2008 13:47 - Read 26607 times