Jan 8th, 2018(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan’s current First Vice President, Gen. Taban Deng Gai, a former rebel Chief negotiator, will spend his last morning in new Jonglei State today before he cross over into Bieh State in what many believe will cause a full scale war in Lou, Gawar and Jikany Nuer areas.
According to residents of new Jonglei state, Gen. Taban, who is being accompanied by a heavily armed battalion of SPLA and militias, spent a day in Panyigoor yesterday and slept in Maar of Twic County last night.
In Bor and Panyigoor, Gen. Taban held meetings and called on Dinka youth not to attack Murle ethnic group.
“He did not explain why but he calls on Youth not to attack Murle. Maybe because some youth are suspected to be organizing a revenge attack on Pibor or maybe he just wants peace between Dinka youth and Murle community”Said Santino Bol Garang, who corresponded from Panyigor.
According to insiders, Taban and the Murle leader, Lt. Gen David Yauyau, planned to launch a joined attack on SPLM/A[IO] strongholds of Akobo in Bieh State last Saturday, January 6th; however, that plan was interrupted by a fighting in Juba on January 4th and was put on hold.
The insiders claim that the plans to capture rebels’ strongholds in Bieh and Phou States have now resumed with intention to capture Akobo before next Saturday.
“Their morals are very high. Gen. Taban has bribed all Nuer politicians and generals in Kiir’s government and now he has dispatched them to their respective areas to go and crush rebellion in those areas before the peace talks resumed in February” Said a Nuer government official, whose name is withheld due to fear of reprisal.
“Taban will land in Waat tomorrow to finalize operation plans and from there he will talk on SSTV from Lou-Nuer claiming that he is for peace. That will be in Akobo if his forces take control”. She continued.
Gen. Taban is believed to have sent a delegation to Waat to mobilize the community before he lands in Lou-Nuer areas.
“The advance team is leaded by Deputy Governor Teah Gatjiek Wei, Bol Koang Nguth, Nyang Chuol Dhuor, Chuol Diu Teny and Gatkuoth Duop Keay. This group will land in Waat today within no time. They should land in the morning or afternoon, but they are going.” Reads part of a circulation on social media
“There’s a operation coordination underway from Pachalla and Buma states to start moving toward Akobo when Taban possibly make it to Waat in a day or two days.” The circulation continued.
“Taban’s aims is Akobo and if the operation will be easy than he will go to Akobo by land and will continue to Pagak as he will permanentlymake it is base.” He said.
It is also alleged the First Vice President has dispatched the Deputy Chief of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Lt. Gen. Thoi Chany, Yoal Dok Khoryoam and Thou Thor to Ayod of Phou State with intention to capture more areas.
Whether such allegations are true remains to be seen, however, Taban’s office has denied the allegations saying that the First Vice President is going to restore peace in Akobo and neighboring areas.
“Akobo State has no working mobile network leave alone internet services. The limited internet services provided by the NGOs and Humanitarian agencies has limited access and His Excellency the First Vice President will be busy talking to the State authorities, Chiefs, civilians, and the security forces. ” Said Dickson Gatluak Nyuot, the spokesman of General Taban Deng Gai.
On his part Dickson claims that it is the SPLA-IO that are preparing to attack their position to disrupt the visit of Mr. Taban Deng that is seen as an invasion by the people of Lou-Nuer tribe.
Gen. Taban and his allies, who defected from the SPLM/A(IO) do not participate in the revitalizationpeace process except through government’s chambers; however, the First Vice President, Mr. Taban, who is a Nuer by tribe, claims to be the legitimate leader of the SPLM/A[IO].
