The Government of South Sudan announced this afternoon that a rebel leader from Jonglei State was killed yesterday by an army patrol near the border with DR Congo.
Vice President Riek Machar Teny called a press conference to announce that George Athor was dead.
He added that the rebel leader clashed with a SPLA border patrol yesterday at 6 PM in Morobo County, near the DR Congo, and was killed on the spot together with one of his men.
Dr Machar explained that Mr Athor came from Rwanda to Morobo by car to recruit fighters for his rebellion.
He said Mr. Athor’s body will be handed over to his family for burial.
He added that images of the late rebel’s body will be shown on TV tonight.
Dr. Machar appealed to all followers of late Athor to accept the presidential pardon and integrate the SPLA following the agreement between the Government and the South Sudan Democratic Movement signed last month in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mr. Athor took up arms against the Government of South Sudan after he lost the race for Jonglei’s governorship in April 2010.