Peter Gadet

Peter Yak Gadet (or Gatdet, Gadiet) is a former Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) general who is now the leader of the South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA), the largest rebel movement in South Sudan.[1][2][3]

Career

General Gadet was a member of the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF) during the Second Sudanese Civil War. He joined the SPLA after the Juba Declaration of 8 January 2006, but said that he was marginalized and that the army was dominated by tribal nepotism. In April 2011 Gadet emerged as leader of the South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA), a new militia demanding a more broadly-based government.[4] In Unity State, he began an assault on the SPLA, leaving at least 45 people dead.[5] According to the military, 20 of the victims were southern army soldiers.[6]

In August 2011, SSLA's spokesperson has said that the movement has declared a ceasefire with the government.[1] Gadet integrated his forces into the army and became the 8th Division Commander.[7]

Amidst the 2013 South Sudan political crisis, he mutinied again and his mainly Nuer militia claimed control of Bor, South Sudan. Riek Machar claims Gadet has been installed as military governor of Jonglei.[8]

In July 2014, the European Union imposed sanctions on Gadet accusing him of leading an attack of the town of Bentiu, in which about 400 people were killed in the 2014 Bentiu massacre.[9]

Personal life

He is an ethnic Nuer. His wife is the daughter of Gatluak Gai, a rebel general.[10] He is also on the board of advisers of the US-based Jarch Management Group, which has obtained oil concessions on large areas of land in South Sudan.,[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "South Sudan's SSLA Unity State rebels' ceasefire". bbcnews.com. 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2011-08-14.
  2. ↑ "S. Sudan army criticizes Peter Gadet over "Mayom" defection declaration". Sudantribune.com. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
  3. ↑ "SPLA set fire to more than 7000 homes in Unity says Mayom country official". sudantribune.com. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  4. ↑ "New Rebel Group Calls to Overthrow South Sudan Government". Sudan Tribune. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  5. ↑ "South Sudan clashes between army and militia kill 57". BBCnews.com. 2011-04-24. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
  6. ↑ "Dozens killed in South Sudan clash". Aljazeera.net/english. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
  7. ↑ "Nine questions about the South Sudan crisis". radiotamazuj.org. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  8. ↑ "South Sudan rebel Riek Machar ‘controls key state". newstalk931.com. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  9. ↑ "EU Sanctions South Sudan Militia Leader, Army Commander". voanews.com. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  10. ↑ Copnall, James (23 July 2011). "South Sudan rebel Gatluak Gai killed after peace deal". BBC. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  11. ↑ "Profile: South Sudan army defector Peter Gadet". bbcnews.co.uk. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.