South Sudan’s government has described the killing of Gen. Gabriel Tanginye who was a top commander allied to rebel leader Lam Akol Ajawin in clashes with SPLA-IO troops led by former First Vice President Riek Machar at Hamra area in northern Upper Nile State as “unfortunate”.

Speaking on Friday after the cabinet meeting, Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, said that the Council of Ministers listened to a security report presented by ministers of the security sector.

“In the course of the report also it was reported that the forces of Gen. Olony fought with the forces of Tanginye which are the forces of Lam Akol, and that resulted into the unfortunate death of Tanginye,”said Makuei.

“Of course we don’t wish anybody any death, but this is what happened. The rebels have decided to fight among themselves, and that resulted into the death of Tanginye and others sustained injuries,” he added.

Makuei pointed out that his government is still calling on all armed opposition groups to join the peace process in South Sudan. “As government, we still hope that these people will come to their senses, and that they will join us in the peace process so that we bring peace to the people of South Sudan instead of killing themselves unnecessarily,” he said.

In August 2015, Gen.Gabriel Tanginye, who hailed from Pangak area, defected from Riek Machar and joined Lam Akol’s group recently. He was also a militia leader backed by the Khartoum government during Sudan's civil war before he joined the SPLA army in 2010.

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Top rebel commander killed in clashes in Upper Nile