‘Major victory’ hailed as troops kills rebel leader

South Sudan’s military has killed a rebel leader, a man who posed a significant security threat to peace inside the world’s newest country.

George Athor was a former lieutenant-general in South Sudan’s military during the 1983-2005 civil war with Sudan. But he launched a rebellion after losing an election in April 2010 for governor of Jonglei state, a vote that he maintained was rigged.

Troops loyal to Athor fought repeatedly with South Sudanese forces over the past year, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

South Sudanese officials yesterday levelled serious charges against Athor, saying he had been making contact with the region’s most insidious rebel group – the Lord’s Resistance Army, or LRA – and that officials in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, had been financing him.

South Sudan has repeatedly accused its northern neighbour with providing support and assistance to Athor and other rebel groups. Sudan has denied those accusations.

South Sudan’s vice-president, Riek Machar, said Athor had been in Rwanda, Congo and Uganda recently to recruit fighters. Colonel Philip Aguer, the country’s military spokesman, said Athor was preparing for a Christmas attack.

Col Aguer said a soldier and one of Athor’s men were also killed during the exchange on Monday evening.

He added that Athor’s death was a major victory for the people of South Sudan that “has deprived Khartoum of an important tool”.