The South Sudan army said the three leaders that revolted against the government were not SPLA members but reported to Khartoum’s intelligence services.
SPLA spokesperson Major General Kuol Deim Kuol distributed a note to the press yesterday saying that George Athor, Gatluak Gai and David Yauyau were not in the SPLA payroll.Mr. Deim explained that Mr. Athor resigned from the SPLA to contest for the post of Jonglei State Governorship while Mr. Gai belonged to Unity State Prisons Guards.
He added that Mr. Yauyau was a civilian who resigned from Southern Sudan Civil Service as the Secretary of Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission for Pibor County to contest for elections.
Mr. Deim added that although some press referred to the trio as rebelled SPLA officers they were in fact military commanders since they were leading illegal independent armies.
He added that the three renegades were reporting directly and separately to the National Intelligence and Security Services Headquarters in Khartoum.