Sept 27, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– As war becomes an alternative after the peace agreement collapsed in July, Murle Ethnic group, which signed a separate peace deal with Salva Kiir’s government in early 2014, is now reorganizing its forces to wage war against Juba.
The commanding general, Lt. Gen. Khalid Butrus Bora, who has been in charge in Pibor State of the former Greater Pibor Administrative Area(GPAA), declares that enough is enough and his people must fight another war.
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Lt. Gen. Khalid explains in his declaration that it is time to wage a popular struggle against marginalization, repression and corruption in the country.
According to Gen. Khalid, Salva Kiir and his Jieng(Dinka) Council of Elders have failed to honoured the peace agreement, which was brokered by church leaders and signed by both sides on March 9th, 2014 and therefore the Cobra must now join arms with other rebel groups.
“By this statement, the SSDM/A is announcing that it shall from today join the struggle against the authoritarian tribalistic regime in Juba” Part of the statement reads.
Although Gen. Khalid has not declared the exact number of forces he is defecting with, his statement entails that he has a significant force to work independently or in cooperation with other forces.
“Being conscious of the need to unify the ranks of all the forces opposed to the regime, SSDMA/Cobra shall immediately enter into serious dialogue with the liked minded patriotic forces already in the field of combat with the aim of cooperation, coordination or merger” He said.
“Any dispersion of efforts shall only serve this ruthless regime and should not be allowed” Khalid continues.
Gen. Khalid calls on the people, especially his Ethnic Murle, to take up arms to wage a popular struggle to restore peace and unity of South Sudan.
“We call upon all the masses of our people to close ranks behind the struggle to rid themselves of a regime characterized by oppression, tribalism, corruption and anarchy to install instead a national democratic state that addresses the twin issue of national-building and state-building” Reads part of the statement
Since 2014 many members of cobra including generals have defected to SPLM/A in opposition, however, Lt. Gen. Khalid and Lt. Gen. David Yau Yau maintained a significant portion of the Cobra forces.
With these defections and more declarations from the Shilluck, Mabaan, Fertit, Balanda, Dinka, Nuer and Equatorian communities, South Sudan is brewing a full scale war that could have far stretching consequences than the 2013-2015 unless the region and the international community quickly intervene.
Within the last two months, senior government officials, including military generals, have defected from Western Equatoria, Western Bhar el Ghazal and Upper Nile.
Gen. Khalid’s defection came days after the former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, and former Opposition leader, Dr. Lam Akol, separately declared war on Salva Kiir’s government.
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