Residents of Eastern Equatoria have received the news of the death of rebel leader George Athor with excitement.
The news came in during a dinner organized by Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly to mark the beginning of the Christmas recess.
The music operator who seemed to have been tipped, played The storm is over by Robert Kelly, a song that stirred up streams of happiness among the guests with a message that the death of George Athor ended fears of insecurity in the new nation.
Torit County Commissioner Felix Otuduha said the death of Mr. Athor at this period of the year when Christians anticipated peaceful Christmas, is a sign that God was defending the people of South Sudan.
He noted that God does not want any more bloodshed in the new nation and more so during the first Christmas South Sudan celebrates as independent nation and its citizens as free people.
Mr. Otuduha said Mr. Athor did not have genuine reasons for rebelling against the Government.