The government of South Sudan reiterates its commitment to pardon George Athor but it will not re-run the election for Jonglei governorship.
Mr. Athor told Voice of America on Wednesday that he demanded for a re-run of the vote that he says he won.GoSS spokesperson and information minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told SCR news that Mr. Athor’s demand will not be met because there was no rigging during the April 2010 vote.
He advised Mr Athor to accept defeat and try again during the next elections.
Mr. Marial said that the amnesty President Salva Kiir Mayardid granted to Mr. Athor last October is still valid and comes into force as soon as he surrenders.
The latest round of fighting between the SPLA and Athor’s forces took place at the beginning of the week and saw dozens of people killed.
Mr. Athor blames the SPLA for starting the conflict saying they encircled his troops in violation of a recent ceasefire agreement.