Athor Ready To Sign Peace Deal

14 February 2011 – (Jonglei) – The SPLA renegade General George Athor says he is willing to sign a ceasefire with GOSS.

Last week Athor’s forces and the SPLA clashed in Fangak in Jonglei state leaving more than 100 people dead.

George Athor spoke to SRS from Jonglei on Monday.

[George Athor]: “I do not want more blood shed. If SPLM accepts a ceasefire, then I can declare a ceasefire at any time; it will depend on when the SPLM is going to accept a ceasefire. I regret so much what happened to our civilians, whether in Fangak or any where else who have been killed in a cross fire. It is not our intention; it is the SPLA who ran in to populated areas when we were fighting them. I believe that southern Sudan will not be divided and cannot be divided! We have to stop fighting from both sides; the SPLA and our forces, then negotiate to see where we went wrong and how we can go forward.”

General George Athor who rebelled against Goss after losing the gubernatorial seat in Jonglei last year said that his problem with GoSS is political.

Last year the president of GoSS, Salva Kiir issued a decree pardoning all the SPLM generals who rebelled against the government.