A top commander in the South Sudan Liberation Army disclosed that he has been in contact with other rebel commanders to persuade them to make peace with the government. In an interview with Radio Tamazuj upon his arrival in Juba, Gen. Karlo Kuol Rech also vowed that he will not lead his forces back to war.

Kuol is deputy head of SSLA, the ex-rebel force now based in Mayom in preparation for reintegration into the South Sudanese army. They returned from Sudan last month in response to an amnesty order. The group was also under pressure from the Khartoum government after a security pact with Juba made their continued presence in Sudan politically unviable.

The deputy commander disclosed that the leadership of the Mayom group has been engaged in getting other hold-out rebels to come home so that they can discuss their problems with the government.

He referred to a number of commanders who have yet to respond to the amnesty order: “When I arrived in Mayom, I spoke to our brothers who are still in Sudan to come back and join the peace. I talked to David Yau Yau, Gordon Kong and brother Joseph Olony of Upper Nile, and we are still talking to them.” 

The general claimed that due in part to their mediation the rebel force under the command of Joseph Olony is on its way to South Sudan. He said they will soon reach the soil of South Sudan and they will join peace talks in Juba.

“Our brother Joseph Olony from Upper Nile is on his way with his forces and we have been talking to him and he has responded,” he disclosed.

Olony’s group fought the government in the western part of Upper Nile State since about 2011. It was also thought to have a rear base in eastern Kordofan. They are reportedly now heading for an assembly point at Kodok.

“Let the nation not get tired from calling those who are outside for the sake of peace, stability and unity of this nation, let us all open ways of communicating with those like David Yau Yau to join the peace,” he said.

Karlo appealed for the government to keep open lines of communication to the likes of David Yau Yau and others in order to achieve peace. 

“Means of communications should be established so that people can contact our brothers who are still fighting the government – it is our responsibility all as people who wish South Sudan to be at peace and stable. Four our part as SSLA we are continue talking to our brothers to come and join us in peacemaking,” he said.

The general also said that he encouraged the media to intensively work for peace: “The media should be given the chance to spread the message of peace time and again so that South Sudan at the end of all these efforts shall achieve a sustainable peace.” 

This is the second part of a three-part interview.

Part one: SSLA deny role in Warrap raids

File photo: A soldier from Upper Nile State.