South Sudan rebel leader Gatluak Gai killed.
July 23, 2011 (JUBA) – A rebel leader in South Sudan’s Unity state was shot dead this morning in Koch county, only three days after he signed a peace deal with South Sudan army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).
- Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers march during the Independence Day ceremony in Juba July 9, 2011 (Reuters)
Citizens and officials from the area told Sudan Tribune that Colonel Gatluak Gai was shot dead on Saturday morning along with some of his bodyguards after a group of people opened fire on him at Pakur where his forces have been temporarily assembled.
Phillip Aguer, the SPLA spokesperson confirmed Gatluak’s death, accusing the latter’s deputy, Marko Chuol Ruei for allegedly opening killing the former rebel leader after disagreement within the rebel camp.
“As you are aware, the government of Unity state entered into an agreement with Gatluak Gai and his forces leading to the signing of a peace agreement just three days ago. But two days later, differences began emerging within the rebel camps, whereby some soldiers led by Gatluak started disrespecting this peace deal,” Aguer told Sudan Tribune by phone.
He added, “This morning, five senior commanders led by Marko Chuol Ruei went and tried to persuade their leader only for Gatluak’s loyal forces to fire at them. Immediately, there was exchange of fire between the two rebel camps and Gatluak plus three others were killed in the process.”
Aguer, however, distanced the army’s involvement in the Saturday morning incident, saying the SPLA were assembled in one point simply waiting for the rebels, who days after the peace agreement, hinted on joining the southern army.
Col. Gatluak signed peace agreement this week with the SPLA which was facilitated by the Deputy Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Pieng Deng Majok, and was promised the rank of Lt. General in the SPLA.
Unity State government has been engaging in peace talks with Gai for the last six weeks. Gai defected from the SPLA and rebelled against South Sudan’s government after the announcement of election results in April last year.
Gai, is believed to have hoped to become a county commissioner – a position appointed by state governors – if independent candidate Angelina Teny beat the incumbent Taban Deng Gai to the gubernatorial seat in Bentiu.
After it was declared the Teny, the wife of South Sudan vice president Riek Machar, had lost Gai began a localised rebellion against the SPLA and the South Sudan government.
Salva Kiir the president of South Sudan took the opportunity on July 9, when the country became independent as part of a 2005 North-South peace deal, to repeat his offer of an amnesty to all rebel groups in Africa’s 54th country.
By James Copnall BBC News, Khartoum
Rebels accuse the South Sudanese army of being responsible for luring Col Gai to his death
A key South Sudanese rebel leader, Col Gatluak Gai, who this week signed a peace deal with the government, has been killed.
The exact circumstances of his death are disputed.
Col Gai was shot in the early hours of Saturday morning despite having apparently been reconciled with the South Sudanese army.
South Sudan became independent earlier this month, but is facing at least half a dozen armed rebellions.
The incident happened at or near the district of Pakur in Unity State.
Colonel Gai began his rebellion following elections last year, after the candidate he supported for state governor was controversially declared to be the loser.
This week Col Gai signed a peace agreement with the South Sudan army and was due to be reintegrated into it.
A fellow rebel told the BBC he had been lured into a trap by the army, which then assassinated him.
The army spokesman denied this.
He said Col Gai had been killed in a fight with his deputy, after he had changed his mind about the peace agreement.
Ethnic divide
But it is clear this incident will make the remaining rebel leaders less likely to accept the amnesty offered by President Salva Kiir.
According to a rebel leader who knew him, Gatluak Gai was in his 50s, with an imposing, physical presence.
Although he was not an educated man, he was able to recruit soldiers from the sub-sect of his Nuer ethnic group, which has often been in conflict with South Sudan’s biggest group, the Dinka.
Col Gai is survived by many children, and nine of his boys fought in his militia.
One of his daughters is married to Gen Peter Gadet, who leads the most active rebel group in South Sudan.
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