19/12/2024
THE RISE AND FALL OF GEN. GEORGE ATHOR DENG DUT. 01.01.1962- 19. 12. 2011
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WHO WAS LATE GEN. GEORGE ATHOR DENG DUT(1962-2011).
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George Athor Deng was born in (1962) in
wunlem, in khorfulus Jonglei state .He attended Adong primary school in( 1970_1976), malakal junior school (1977_1979) and Kassala secondary school in (1980_1982) , he successful passed his Sudan school certificate examination and gained a place in university of Cairo Khartoum branch in (1982_1983).
However, as a political activist in Khartoum, in June 1983, George Athor Deng abandoned his university studies and joined the SPLM/A rebellion of south Sudan. He received his military training in Bongo and was commissioned as a lance corporal in the SPLA Jamus battalion in 1983.
In January 1984. In recognition of his educational attainment and performance in the field, George Athor was promoted to first lieutenant in the SPLA and took part in the tack in jokou. He also fought in Anya nya II forces in Abuteng. Lt George Athor then commanded sobat battalion, He soon shifted to command Abushok battalion, George Athor led his forces from the front and hence he was Wouded may 1987 at NyalikLik. He was promoted to the rank of captain and command Mazulum battalion in (1987_1989). SPLA forces under his command took part in BSC I's Northern sector He was one of the SPLA officers was successful resisted and contained the Nasir coup of August 1991, in which three senior SPLA commanders including his direct commander, broke away from the movement.
In April 1992, with a small force he managed to dislodge SPLA ( Nasir) from Baliet. His military success in the area provided for an SPLM (mainstream) presence in the area. Consequently he was Wouded fighting the breakaway SPLA forces at Thep Ngol in 1993.
He continue to resist Nasir forces until 1996. When he was transferred to Equatoria as the commander of shondok battalion.
Shondok battalion attempted to capture yei and lainya in 1996, Cdr George Athor was subsequently transfered to panaruu to panaruu in unity state, where he emerged the SAF and successful disrupted the oil exploitation drilling in panthou (Hilig) as one of the most successful SPLA commanders, he was later transferred to first front (upper Nile) as division commander. Cdr George Athor served in upper Nile for two years from (2003_2005) After the CPA he was appointed as major General in the SPLA and confirmed as Jamus division overall commander (2005_2007). Later on he was later appointed as director for administration at SPLA GHQs bilpam ( 2007_2008) , with his distinguished experiences in the SPLA, the first Vice president, president of Goss and commander in chief of the SPLA promoted George Athor to the lieutenant General in the SPLA and appointed him as the Deputy chief of general staff for political and moral orientations (PMO) 2008_2010.
However, Gen George Athor resigned from his senior position from the SPLA and unsuccessful contested for the governorship of Jonglei state in April 2010 national general elections, after elections, in the Bush he founded his south Sudan National Democratic movement (SSDM), the SSDM forces established the countryside in Jonglei in 2010.
Although he reached a ceasefire agreement with the Goss for the peaceful conduct of the referendum in January 2011, serious hostilities resume between his forces and the SPLA thereafter , he later reached a truce with the government in November 2011.
However, Gen George Athor was reportedly killed in clashed with the SPLA forces in morobo on the Ugandan- south Sudanese border in December 19 2011. Some other reports have it that he was tricked to go to Kampala for secret peace talks and was then reported that he was killed in cold blood and his body was then taken to morobo from which it was reported that he was in a fierce gun fight .
For the record, he was traveling with only one body guard from Kenya to Kampala and only two bodies were recovered from scene.
Gen George Athor didn't have any forces in Equatoria region.
What is clear was that president Kiir was keen did try to make peace with Athor , including meeting him in person in Kenya.
However, some leaders in juba conspired with Kampala to have Athor tricked and killed in cold blood while on a peace mission to Kampala.
Like Samuel G*i tut, he was tricked and killed in the name of peace.
Continue to rest in peace (RIP)Gen. George Athor Deng Dut
