Athor's Forces Clash With SPLA In Jonglei State

10 January 2011 - (Juba/Jonglei) - Fresh fighting between General George Athor’s forces and the SPLA has been going on, since Wednesday in Fangak area in Jonglei state.

The clashes are a violation to a ceasefire agreement signed between Athor and the GOSS last month.

In an interview with SRS from Jonglei on Thursday, Athor claimed that the SPLA attacked his forces therefore violating the ceasefire agreement on 5th of January.

[George Athor]: “The real reason for the clashes is a violation from SPLA/SPLM; they moved a force, which contravenes the peace agreement which we signed on the 5th of January this year. They moved these forces, and attacked our forces in Korliet and chased our forces out. Also they attacked our forces that were with their forces in Door. This thing is the reason of fighting, and the fighting is continuing up to now. We have captured Fum el-Zaraf and we are still in Fum el-Zaraf up to the present time. On our side we lost eleven and on other side they lost fifty there in the whole battle.”

However, the SPLA denied Athor’s statement, claiming that Athor is the one who started attacking them.

The SPLA spokesman Colonel Philip Aguer spoke to SRS from Juba on Wednesday.

[Philip Aguer]: “Yesterday (Wednesday) George Athor attacked Fangak headquarters and he attacked Door. So SPLA has never made any attack, we are just trying to defend our position. He started his attack yesterday at 10 o’clock in the morning and the fighting continued up to 4PM. This morning he attacked again Fangak town, so it is George Athor attacking SPLA.”

Aguer said that four SPLA solders were killed together with twelve other members of Athor during the fighting.

[Philip Aguer]: “In Door, we have received details that the SPLA lost four soldiers and there were twelves who were killed from the attackers, from the side of George Athor, and the SPLA captured fifteen different types of guns. He also planted landmines which exploded two vehicles that belong to the SPLA; three soldiers were wounded in that landmine explosion.”

Athor who rebelled against GOSS after he lost the gubernatorial elections in Jonglei last year, claimed that he has unresolved political issues with GOSS.

[George Athor]: “GOSS has refused to discuss the political issues with us, telling us only we have given you pardon and that is all, you come, lay down your arms and join SPLA. That thing is not convincing, we have a political case in which we want to make sure that the new state will be a democratic state.”

The SPLA spokesperson appealed to Athor to return to the SPLA and listen to what he called logic of reconciliation.

Aguer also reaffirmed that the pardon issued last year by President Kiir to all SPLA renegades, still holds.