Malakal residents received well the pardon granted by GoSS president to Gen. Gabriel Gatwech Chan known as Tanginya saying it was a wise decision.
Citizens told Radio Voice of Love that the pardon to Tangginya and other armed groups that rebelled against the Government of South Sudan would benefit the stability of the region during the time of referendum and ahead.
John Badi Paul, a student in Upper Nile University, said the reconciliation of Gen. Tanginye with the Southern Government shortened the ways for the enemies to cause violence against the local population.
He said the two wars of Gen. Tangginya in Malakal had a negative effect in the town and in the university.
Paulino Albino, a government official, said the amnesty was a nice step toward the time of referendum which needed all southerners to unite.
Mr. Albino added that Gen. Tangginya was used by the ruling party in Khartoum to deny southerners the joys of peace.
Most citizens the reporter talked with welcomed the presidential pardon, saying Gen. Tanginya was not the first person to take arms against southerners.
Some said that Gen. Tanginya’s presence in Malakal during the referendum was very important.
Gen. Tanginya who served with the Sudan Armed Forces led two very destructive attacks on Malakal in November 2006 and February 2009 that left over one hundred people dead.