"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.
The SSLA Military High Command appealed to forces of Peter Gatdet in Mapel to come back to the Movement. The SSLA established contacts with forces of Peter Gatdet, Gabriel Tang and late Col. Gatluak Gai to return to revolutionary forces because the conditions they are enduring in Mapel are worse than slavery. There are over 1600 combined forces of Gatdet, Gabriel Tang and Gatluak Gai in Mapel that are denied food and were ordered to be disarmed. We advised them not to accept disarmament because the SPLA generals in Bilpam want to demobilize them afterwards.
The SSLA will welcome them with open arms to the rank and file of freedom fighters. We told them that SPLA under Salva Kiir is a tribally-guided army which will never integrate them because Salva Kiir saw them as a threat to his leadership. Peter Gatdet is now redundant in Juba without being returned to the army awaiting to be arrested anytime. His former spokesman, Col. Bol Gatkuoth, returned to England and he is now living with his family in London because the secret deal they signed with Salva Kiir last August has been dishonored.
The forces of Peter Gatdet, Gabriel Tang and Gatluak Gai in Mapel understood the tribal game being played by Salva Kiir and would never lay down their weapons until they return to SSLA. We assured them that the SSLA will confirm their ranks like before and should not worry at all.
Thanks,
Maj. Gen. Bapiny Monytuil
SSLA Military High Command
Mayom, South Sudan
South Sudan: Civilians Escape Ex-Militia Fire in Mapel
James Deng Dimo
Wau — Fighting erupted in Mapel town on Sunday, caused by the former Peter Gadet’s forces who are undertaking military integration in the military base of Dakumo as civilians were celebrating the first day of the New Year 2012.
The town came under heavy fire from the platoon at around 3.00 p.m. following a disagreement on 31st December, 2011 between a motor bike rider and one of former Gadet militiaman who hired a motor bike but failed to pay the rider according to the eye witness.
The forces of Gatdet were brought in the area for reintegration into SPLA army following the agreement reached with their leader and the Government in August last year. A large number of civilians has fled the town from the shooting but by 5.00 p.m. the forces withdrew from the town to their base in Dakumo one, Michael Mayen Atem, a policeman in the main town told The Citizen.
In an unconfirmed report to The Citizen, at least 2 bodies have been recovered dead while many more others have been wounded and admitted in the civil Hospital. The policeman could not tell The Citizen who were the dead victims between the civilians and the armed men. Gadet responded to President Kiir’s amnesty to the South Sudan rebel forces during the country’s declaration of independence on 9th July 2011 and returned to Juba last year in August while sending his forces to SPLA training camp in Mapel for integration into the national army. They are reported to have not laid down their arms in the barracks.
PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.
